Effect of modified pre-milking sanitizing approaches on raw milk quality obtained from the dairy farmers of Tawau area, Sabah

The aim of the study was to investigate the raw milk hygiene and quality among the small
holder dairy farmers in Tawau area. A total of 216 samples were collected from the
respective dairy farmers and milk collecting centre located at Mile 15, Tawau.
Preliminary results indicated that the quality of the raw milks obtained at farm level
contained were inferior with high bacteria load (> than 107 CFU/ml). The total coliform
(2.9-3.8 CFU/mL) and Staphylococcus count (2.3-3.6 CFU/mL) were relatively high in
certain samples. However, none of the food borne pathogens was found. Trace back study
revealed that the causes of contamination were attributed by poor hygienic handling
among the dairy farmers and insufficient for immediate chilling of raw milk. A
significant reduction in bacteria load was observed if the raw milk chilled immediately at
farm. The implementation of modified pre-milking sanitizing practices improved the
microbiology quality of the raw milks obtained from respective dairy farms. Future study
will focus more on the effect of prolong storage towards the microbiological quality of
raw milk.