Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023)
Milk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years for its nutritional properties. In recent years, raw milk demand has increased, valued for its authenticity and connection to local traditions. In Italy, the sale of raw milk is allowed exclusively through direct sale from the producing farm to...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Sara Antonia Chiarlone Andrea Gori Serena Ravetta Andrea Armani Lisa Guardone Francesca Pedonese Salvatore Bavetta Caterina Fiannacca Nicola Pussini Cristiana Maurella Elisabetta Razzuoli |
| author_facet | Sara Antonia Chiarlone Andrea Gori Serena Ravetta Andrea Armani Lisa Guardone Francesca Pedonese Salvatore Bavetta Caterina Fiannacca Nicola Pussini Cristiana Maurella Elisabetta Razzuoli |
| author_sort | Sara Antonia Chiarlone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Milk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years for its nutritional properties. In recent years, raw milk demand has increased, valued for its authenticity and connection to local traditions. In Italy, the sale of raw milk is allowed exclusively through direct sale from the producing farm to the final consumer, either at the producing farm itself or through vending machines. However, the consumption of raw milk is not without risks. Among these, microbiological ones are relevant. These can lead to severe symptoms, particularly in vulnerable populations. For this reason, although consumers are advised to boil raw milk before consumption, producing farms in Italy are required to meet the microbiological criteria outlined in the Provision of 25 January 2007. In this retrospective study, the results of the analyses performed on 355 raw milk samples collected in Liguria between 2014 and 2023 for the detection of <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157 were analysed to better characterise the associated risk for consumers. The samples were collected during official controls by the local veterinary health services at vending machines of seven producing farms. Overall, six samples tested positive for <i>C. jejuni</i>, while only one sample tested positive for <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i>, Serovar Veneziana. <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, <i>S. aureus</i>, and <i>E. coli</i> O157 were never responsible for non-compliances. Interestingly, three of the six samples positive for <i>C. jejuni</i> derived from the same producer. In farms where positive samples were detected, certain structural and/or operational non-compliances were identified. It can be concluded that, although the scenario in question does not present any cause for concern, it is nevertheless essential to implement a series of preventive measures in order to guarantee the safety of raw milk. These measures include the implementation of biosecurity practices, the maintenance of strict hygiene protocols during milking, and the adherence to the cold chain distribution protocol until the final stage of distribution. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0766b84b1e254b968fa7e110d01cf9f42025-01-24T13:18:27ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-0115228610.3390/ani15020286Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023)Sara Antonia Chiarlone0Andrea Gori1Serena Ravetta2Andrea Armani3Lisa Guardone4Francesca Pedonese5Salvatore Bavetta6Caterina Fiannacca7Nicola Pussini8Cristiana Maurella9Elisabetta Razzuoli10Section of Ponente Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Martiri 6, 17056 Savona, SV, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, PI, ItalySection of Genova e Portualità Marittima, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Piazza Borgo Pila 39/24, 16129 Genoa, GE, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, PI, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, PI, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, PI, ItalyASL3—Azienda Sociosanitaria Ligure 3, Sistema Sanitario Regionale Liguria, Via San Giovanni Battista n. 48, 16154 Genoa, GE, ItalyASL3—Azienda Sociosanitaria Ligure 3, Sistema Sanitario Regionale Liguria, Via San Giovanni Battista n. 48, 16154 Genoa, GE, ItalySection of Ponente Ligure, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Martiri 6, 17056 Savona, SV, ItalyEpidemiologia-Sicurezza Alimentare Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 220, 10154 Torino, TO, ItalySection of Genova e Portualità Marittima, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Piazza Borgo Pila 39/24, 16129 Genoa, GE, ItalyMilk has been consumed by humans for thousands of years for its nutritional properties. In recent years, raw milk demand has increased, valued for its authenticity and connection to local traditions. In Italy, the sale of raw milk is allowed exclusively through direct sale from the producing farm to the final consumer, either at the producing farm itself or through vending machines. However, the consumption of raw milk is not without risks. Among these, microbiological ones are relevant. These can lead to severe symptoms, particularly in vulnerable populations. For this reason, although consumers are advised to boil raw milk before consumption, producing farms in Italy are required to meet the microbiological criteria outlined in the Provision of 25 January 2007. In this retrospective study, the results of the analyses performed on 355 raw milk samples collected in Liguria between 2014 and 2023 for the detection of <i>Campylobacter</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157 were analysed to better characterise the associated risk for consumers. The samples were collected during official controls by the local veterinary health services at vending machines of seven producing farms. Overall, six samples tested positive for <i>C. jejuni</i>, while only one sample tested positive for <i>Salmonella enterica</i> subsp. <i>enterica</i>, Serovar Veneziana. <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, <i>S. aureus</i>, and <i>E. coli</i> O157 were never responsible for non-compliances. Interestingly, three of the six samples positive for <i>C. jejuni</i> derived from the same producer. In farms where positive samples were detected, certain structural and/or operational non-compliances were identified. It can be concluded that, although the scenario in question does not present any cause for concern, it is nevertheless essential to implement a series of preventive measures in order to guarantee the safety of raw milk. These measures include the implementation of biosecurity practices, the maintenance of strict hygiene protocols during milking, and the adherence to the cold chain distribution protocol until the final stage of distribution.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/286food safety<i>Campylobacter</i> spp.microbiologyofficial control<i>Salmonella</i> spp. |
| spellingShingle | Sara Antonia Chiarlone Andrea Gori Serena Ravetta Andrea Armani Lisa Guardone Francesca Pedonese Salvatore Bavetta Caterina Fiannacca Nicola Pussini Cristiana Maurella Elisabetta Razzuoli Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) Animals food safety <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. microbiology official control <i>Salmonella</i> spp. |
| title | Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) |
| title_full | Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) |
| title_fullStr | Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) |
| title_short | Microbiological Analysis Conducted on Raw Milk Collected During Official Sampling in Liguria (North-West Italy) over a Ten-Year Period (2014–2023) |
| title_sort | microbiological analysis conducted on raw milk collected during official sampling in liguria north west italy over a ten year period 2014 2023 |
| topic | food safety <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. microbiology official control <i>Salmonella</i> spp. |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/2/286 |
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