Consumer profile and problems associated with uninspected raw milk consumption in western Paraná

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze consumer profile; to identify the main reasons for raw milk consumption; and to analyze in laboratory samples of uninspected raw milk from five towns in the western region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. The types of milk most frequently consumed were: 42.3% ultra-high temperature (UHT), 38.3% pasteurized milk, 17.6% uninspected raw milk, and 1.7% powered milk. The frequencies of households that preferred uninspected raw milk were, according to the town, 32.7% in Iporã, 29.2% in Marechal Cândido Rondon, 18.9% in Assis Chateaubriand, 17.6% in Palotina, and 10% in Toledo. Flavor was the main reason for uninspected raw milk consumption, and the purchase of this product was more frequent in households whose income was between one to four minimum wages. It was observed that the sales of uninspected milk are more financially advantageous to the producer than sales of inspected milk. All samples analyzed showed lack of compliance with at least one parameter, 60.9% for mesophilic counts, 56.6% for non-fat dry matter, 52.1% for freezing point, 43.5% for acidity, 23.9% for density, 23.9% for the casein macropeptide, 17.4% for fat content, 8.7% were reactors in the milk ring test, and 2.2% were reactors in microbial growth inhibitor test. Fraud by addition of water was observed in 20% of the samples. Uninspected raw milk analyzed in this study involved a low-quality product that is a financial hazard as it may be adulterated, and that poses risk to consumer health.

Why knowledge is the best way to reduce the risks associated with raw milk and raw milk products

“…A mistrust of industrialised products? The most commonly cited motivations behind the consumption of clandestine dairy products are the taste and the purity of such products (Buzby et al ., 2013; Raymundo et al ., 2018; Waldman and Kerr, 2018). However, the motivations that might drive European are not necessarily the same as for Americans, but are strongly influenced by culture.…”

Real‐time quantitative PCR‐based detection of Coxiella burnetii in unpasteurized cow's milk sold for human consumption

“…In Brazil, despite the hazards associated to the habit, the consumption of raw milk that did not undergo official inspection or pasteurization is high among milk consumers (Nero et al, ; Raymundo et al, ). Surveys in different cities and regions of Brazil have reported between 14% to 34% of the consumption of this type of milk in the country, so‐called “informal milk” (Motta et al, ; Nero et al, ; Raymundo et al, ). This product is sold without official inspection and pasteurization in several cities in Brazil and its production is commonly related to small producers with a low level of technification and lack of veterinary assistance (Motta et al, ).…”

“…This product is sold without official inspection and pasteurization in several cities in Brazil and its production is commonly related to small producers with a low level of technification and lack of veterinary assistance (Motta et al, ). Microbiological and physicochemical analyses of this product indicate the constant presence of high amounts of microorganisms, as well as evidence of contaminants such as inhibitors of bacterial growth, urea or water (Motta et al, ; Nero et al, ; Raymundo et al, ).…”

“…In Brazil, the detection of C. burnetii has been reported in animals and humans in previous decades (Costa, Brigatte, & Greco, ; Mares‐Guia et al, ; Rozental et al, ). In addition, the habit of consuming unpasteurized milk sold without undergoing official inspection in the country can be as high as 30% (Motta et al, ; Nero, Maziero, & Bezerra, ; Raymundo, Bersot, & Osaki, ), which favours the transmission of the pathogen. Brazilian law for industrial and sanitary inspection of products of animal origin declares that raw milk is not considered a product for direct human consumption and its use is restricted to establishments of dairy and dairy products under official sanitary inspection (Brazil, ); however, the volume of raw unpasteurized milk sold illegally in the country is approximately 900 million litres per year (Motta et al, ).…”

“…In Brazil, the detection of C. burnetii has been reported in animals and humans in previous decades (Costa, Brigatte, & Greco, 2006;Mares-Guia et al, 2016;Rozental et al, 2017). In addition, the habit of consuming unpasteurized milk sold without undergoing official inspection in the country can be as high as 30% (Motta et al, 2015;Nero, Maziero, & Bezerra, 2003;Raymundo, Bersot, & Osaki, 2018), which favours the transmission of the pathogen.…”