EFFECT OF PASTURING ON THE INCIDENCE OF BACILLUS-CEREUS SPORES IN RAW-MILK

The seasonal effect of contamination of raw milk with Bacillus cereus spores was studied on seven experimental farms. Four farms had cows at pasture in summer and three farms had cows housed in summer. The farm s were sampled twice a month for a year. The B. cereus spore content w as analysed in tank milk, first milk out of the cow and first milk out of the installation, and a pasturing effect was concluded. Milk from cows housed during summer had less chance of becoming contaminated wit h B. cereus spores. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.