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

Abstract

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.