Abstract

Fifty-five (55) samples from five municipalities in the Recôncavo from Bahia region were analyzed between May and July 2015 to evaluate the sanitary quality and the presence of pathogens of crude and processed bovine milk samples. Psichrotrophic, mesophilic and thermophile rates and the count of Escherichia coli, E. coli O157: H7 Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes were done by microbiological methods rapid detection. There was a greater contamination and presence of pathogens in the raw milk when compared to processed milk. However, total coliforms were detected in 14.28%, E. coli in 7.14% and E. coli O157: H7 in 2.04% of processed milk. The enforcement by authorities against the illegal sale of raw milk and the monitoring of steps in milk production up to marketing should be mandatory.

Key words: Sanitary conditions, dairy industry, food safety.