Assessment of Quality and Safety Criteria of Raw Milk Samples from Different Dairy Farms

Ten dairy farms supplying raw milk to the dairy industry were investigated to determine compliance with the safety criteria (plate count at 30 °C and somatic cell count) of Regulation (EC) 853/2004. The relationship of such criteria with lipid and protein percentages was also evaluated. The results demonstrated a great variability due to the different management systems of each dairy farm, with regard to the milking hygiene, the health status of the animals, and the prevention measures against mastitis. Moreover, in some dairy farms, the somatic cell counts were positively correlated with the quality components of raw milk as well as the plate count at 30 °C.