Without a doubt, pasteurization is the most important practice followed as a means of assuring the safety of milk. When properly done, and if accompanied by the use of sterile containers and effective protection from recontamination, pasteurization does result in milk free of pathogenic organism. Pasteurization does not decrease the risk from contaminants such as anti biotics or other undesirable chemicals. 5 Effective herd management has many aspects but the production of milk free of any contaminating bacteria is of major importance. Undesirable organisms may get into milk either through the body of the animal or from some external source after the milk has been drawn.
Several organisms causing mastitis also are pathogenic to man.
Regular tests and frequent inspections of milking animals coordinated with a definite plan for withholding the milk from suspect animals until confirmation tests can be completed are a must. The most frequent source of antibiotics in milk is from improper use of such agents in treating animals. Less frequently milk may be contaminated by the animals consuming feeds carrying some form of herbicide or insecticide, or by improper usage of such materials around the premises. Detection of these contaminants in milk probably will require testing by a branch of the Health or Agriculture departments of the state. Animals teats, udder, flank, etc.