AN APPROACH OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION TO IMPROVE THE MILK QUALITY FROM THE CITY OF BARBOSA FERRAZ/PARANA (BRAZIL) PRODUCTION CHAIN

The goal of the present study was to promulgate hygiene practices and evaluate their efficiency in reducing the microbiologic contamination of milk. It was draw the map of the pasteurized milk processing line to identify the main contamination points and eliminate them adopting of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). A data assessment was undertaken in milk farms (17 units) and at processing establishment using checklists. A training course was provided at the milk farms with emphasis on the Good Production Practices following collection of raw milk, swab of milkers' hands surface and of the storage recipients (canisters) for microbiological analysis, before and after implementation of hygiene practices. In the processing establishment, five samples of milk were collected in different stages of the processing line as well as one pack of Type C pasteurized milk. The results revealed that from the 9 items related to hygiene, 5 of them (55%) showed non-conformity with the Brazilian Law. The samples collected before implementation of the hygiene practices presented a high microbiological contamination, whereas after such implementation, a reduction was confirmed. Application of check-list to assess the Good Manufacturing Practices at processing establishment evaluated 142 items, but only 38% were in conformity. The probable origin of contamination was located after the exit of the isothermal tank for pasteurized milk. The efficiency of adoption of Good Production Practices was confirmed by reduction of microbiological contamination of the raw milk as well as the need to adequate the processing establishment to the Good Manufacturing Practices.