MILK PASTEURIZATION AND SAFETY - A BRIEF-HISTORY AND UPDATE

A brief history of the development of milk pasteurisation is presented and updated. Concerns about the margin of safety provided by current pasteurisation standards in terms of milk-borne pathogens such as myco bacteria (in particular Mycobacterium paratuberculosis) and other emer ging pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O15 7:H7 are discussed. With the exception of the endospores of Bacillus c ereus, current standards appear to be adequate for public health assur ance of milk safety provided good manufacturing practices are followed .