Hygienic knowledge and practices of milk vending machine handlers in the informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Poor milk handling practices due to lack of knowledge or deliberate adulteration compromises the safety of milk and that of the consumer. With the increase of milk vending machines in informal settlements, the knowledge and practices of vendors concerning milk hygiene are critical in determining milk safety. The operation of milk vending machines is guided by strict regulations that aim at ensuring proper practices among milk handlers, but the level of implementation among milk vendors is questionable. This study sought to establish hygienic knowledge and handling practices of vendors operating milk vending machines in Nairobi’s informal settlements of Kibra and Dagoretti North. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, 37 milk vendors were interviewed at the study setting with the aid of questionnaires. Data was then recorded in datasheets and analyzed using frequencies, correlation, and t-test with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Results: The mean percentage score for knowledge and practices was 68.83% and 54.05%, respectively. The knowledge and practices of vendors significantly improved with the increase in their level of education (p=0.04 and p=0.02). There was a significantly positive correlation between knowledge and practices (r=0.626, p=0.000). Conclusions: There is a low level of hygienic knowledge and poor practices among vendors operating milk vending machines in the study area. The efforts by the regulator to ensure proper implementation of the regulations was also not sufficient. Training is required to improve the hygienic knowledge and practices of milk vending machine handlers in informal settlements. Frequent inspections should also be carried out in the informal settlements to ensure proper implementation of regulations on the operation of milk vending machines.

Characterization of dairy innovations in selected milksheds in Kenya using a categorical principal component analysis

To enhance milk quantity and quality which have continued to decrease in Kenya, various stakeholders have intervened through promotion of technical dairy innovations at the farm level including improved cow feeding, health management, promotion of exotic breeds, and milking hygiene. At the milkshed level, stakeholders’ focus has been on organizational innovations, specifically milk sale by farmers through groups. This study sought to characterize dairy innovations that have been adopted by farmers in the milkshed of three milk processors including New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Sotik (NKCC Sotik), Happy Cow Limited (HCL), and Mukurweini Wakulima Dairy Limited (MWDL), representing one state, private, and farmer-owned processor, respectively. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 1146 farmers (410, 382, and 354 in MWDL, HCL, and NKCC Sotik, respectively). A categorical principal components analysis was used to reduce 32 variables into four sets of uncorrelated components. Four categories were identified including principal component (PC) 1 (technical capacity), PC 2 (animal health management), PC 3 (organizational capacity), and PC 4 (milk hygiene). More farmers in the milkshed of MWDL adopted technical and organizational dairy innovations such as use of artificial insemination and milk sale through groups, respectively, than farmers in milkshed of NKCC and HCL. The county governments in the milkshed of HCL and NKCC Sotik need to strengthen cooperative societies to boost adoption of artificial insemination through arrangement in which milk is sold and payment of services offered on credit is settled from milk sale and ensure milk market availability throughout the year.

Assessment of milking hygiene awareness and practices among the dairy farmers in Baghabarighat milk shed areas of Bangladesh

Background: Many milk-borne epidemics of human diseases have been reported due to contamination of milk by dairy workers’ spoiled hands, unsanitary utensils, flies and polluted water supplies. In addition, most milk-borne zoonoses are mostly acquired through consumption of infected milk and milk products. Information on milking hygiene practices and knowledge of farmers’ remains scarce in Bangladesh. We aimed to evaluate the milk hygiene awareness and practices among the dairy farmers in Baghabarighat milk shed areas of Sirajgonj and Pabna district in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 270 randomly selected small holder dairy farmers during October 2018 to March 2019. Data on milk hygiene practices and general handling of milk were collected by face to face interview and direct observation using a questionnaire. Results: We observed that all respondents practiced manual milking with a frequency of twice per day. About 60% respondents did not wash their hands before milking and others wash their hands only with water. Mostly tube well water was used for washing utensils. About 67.0% respondents didn’t wash udder before milking and all of them used oil as lubricant. Around 67% and 33.3% dairy farmers had access to pipe water and tube well water supply to their barn, respectively. None of the farmers practiced post milking teat dipping and used towel for wiping udder after washing. Most of the farmers (97%) provided feed to animal before, during and after milking. None of the farmers stored milk in cool room and 78.2% farmers delivered milk within 1-2 hours to milk collector. About 89% respondents delivered drug treated milk to collector. Conclusion: The hygienic practices are far below standard level among the dairy farmers in the study areas. Thus, there are risk of bovine mastitis and milk-borne zoonoses by consuming contaminated milk. Farmers’ education on milking hygiene practices and handling of milk to create awareness is needed.

Evaluation of The Effects of Milking Hygiene and Sanitation Education on Total Bacterial and Somatic Cell Number of Bulk Tank Milk in Dairy Cattle Breeding

Hygiene and sanitation, which are of great importance for the protection of human. Beside this quality and quantity of the milk is very important for human health. The aim of this project is to develop a training model in raw milk hygiene in Aydın province, and to increase knowledge, skills and competencies of vocational/professional groups in raw milk production. Two surveys were conducted for the farm workers to be trained within the scope of the project. Firstly, a demonstrative survey was conducted for the farms where milk hygiene training was provided. The education satisfaction survey was conducted for the people who were educated after the seminar. The surveys were prepared by the project executives and the questions were answered by face to face interview method. The milk samples of the study were collected from 157 dairy farm bulk tanks located in Aydin province, before the beginning of the project and after training courses. The milk samples were analyzed for Total Viable Count (TVC) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC). In conclusion, 11% of tank milk samples were below the norm value of 100000cfu/mL out of 157 farms. It is also seen that 27 farms reduced their SCC values below 400000cells/mL out of 56 farms with a norm value of ≥400000cells/mL after hygiene training. When the results were evaluated in general, hygiene was improved by 11% in average TVC value and 1% in SCC value after milking hygiene education.

Occurrence and characterisation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk in Hungary

The last surveys on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from bovine milk in Hungary took place in the 2000s. To elucidate the genetic variability and to estimate the burden of the pathogen, MRSA from our strain collection and prospectively collected Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolates originating from two milk hygiene laboratories were investigated. Between 2003 and 2018, 27 MRSA strains originating from 10 dairy farms were deposited and characterised. Most strains (n = 20) belonged to ST1-t127-SCCmecIV and were recovered from three unrelated farms. From other farms, variable genotypes were identified sporadically: ST22-t032-SCCmecIV from three farms; a newly described double locus variant of ST97, ST5982-t458-SCCmecIV from two farms; and ST398-t011-SCCmecIV and ST398-t011-SCCmecV from two respective farms. The prospective screening of 626 individual SA isolates originating from 42 dairy farms resulted in four (0.48 %) MRSA strains from three (7.14 %) farms. All MRSA isolates belonged to the clonal complex 398 and a novel spa-type t19251 was also identified. Most isolates were resistant to three or more antimicrobial classes. The occurrence and significance of MRSA of dairy origin seems to be unchanged in the past decade in Hungary. However, the low host specificity and multiresistance of the identified genotypes calls for periodic revision on the role and distribution of the pathogen in the Hungarian dairy sector.

Evaluation of boiled milk hygiene and safety in the markets of El-Obied City- North Kordofan State- Sudan

Background: This study was conducted in the markets of Elobeid City- North Kordofan State-Sudan, to evaluate the hygiene and safety of the boiled milk vended in the markets of El-Obied City, Sudan, during the period from October 2012 to October 2015.Methods: The study covered all the places for the boiled milk sale in the markets of El-Obeid City, which are 84 places. Data were collected from all milk handlers (87) by questionnaire and observation-check list about the health requirements for milk handling in those places. The data were analyzed manually and the results presented in tables and figures. Eighty-four milk samples were collected from the offering containers of boiled milk vended in that places, and examined for the total aerobic plate counts in the laboratory of veterinary research station in El-Obeid City. The microbial indicator (aerobic plates count for microbes) was used to evaluate the extent of boiled milk hygiene and safety.Results: The results showed that the sound milk samples (free of microbes) concerning the aerobic plates count for microbes were only 9.52% and most milk samples (76.19%) were of low microbiological quality. Also this study demonstrated that the bubbling of milk without stirring contributed to the existence of microbial contamination of boiled milk by 41.67% and the use of dirty utensils and equipment contributed to the existence of microbial contamination by 15%.Conclusions: This study concluded that the milk in the markets of El-Obeid City was marketed under unhygienic conditions and there is no assurance to its safety and wholesomeness in most places.

Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli in Raw Sheep's Milk from Farm Bulk Tanks in Central Italy

ABSTRACT For milk hygiene and safety, the milking phase is a critical moment because it is a probable pathway for the introduction of unwanted microorganisms in the dairy chain. In particular, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli are known as possible microbial contaminants of raw sheep's milk, although extensive knowledge regarding their contamination dynamics on sheep farms is still lacking. This study aimed to examine the occurrence and concentration of these microorganisms in milk samples collected from farm bulk tanks in the region of Lazio (Central Italy) and to investigate the related risk factors. Over a period of 1 year, we collected 372 milk samples from 87 sheep farms and administered a questionnaire to acquire information regarding relevant farm management variables. L. monocytogenes was not found in any of the samples, which indicates a low occurrence of this pathogen in sheep's bulk tank milk. In contrast, E. coli was found in almost two-thirds of milk samples (61%) but at levels below 102 CFU/mL in most of them (approximately 75%). Statistical analysis indicated that, during the warmest seasons, E. coli presence is more probable and counts are significantly higher. Unexpectedly, milk collected by hand milking had a lower level of contamination. Although further studies are necessary to clarify some aspects, the reported data add to the knowledge about the occurrence of L. monocytogenes and E. coli in raw sheep's milk and will be useful for future risk assessments. HIGHLIGHTS