Hygienic characteristics and microbiological hazard identification in horse and donkey raw milk.

The research paper discusses the hygienic characteristics and potential microbiological hazards in horse and donkey milk, in light of its growing popularity as a food source due to its unique composition and health benefits, especially for infants and the elderly.

Hygiene and Health Status of Dairy Animals

• The study emphasizes the need for detailed knowledge about the hygiene and health status of the animals producing this milk, particularly horses (Equus caballus) and donkeys (Equus asinus), to ensure the safety of consumers.
• The health of these animals is directly linked to the hygiene of their milk, a vital factor since the milk is primarily being considered for consumption by vulnerable demographic groups like infants and the elderly.

Microbiological Hazards in Equine Milk

• The research reviews available literature on potential microbiological hazards that may exist in equine milk and the risks associated with consuming milk that includes such hazards.
• The study maintains that both microbial contamination and somatic cell count (indicators of milk quality) in equine milk are reasonably low.
• Further, the risks posed by pathogens like Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Brucella spp., Mycobacterium spp., Bacillus cereus, Cronobacter sakazakii, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, Rhodococcus equi, Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis, Clostridium difficile and Burkholderia mallei is also low.

Regional Risks and Considerations

• However, the paper cautions that in regions where the prevalence of certain pathogens such as Brucella spp. and Rhodococcus equi is high, the consumption risk could increase. This means food safety measures need to be specific to regional conditions.
• Similarly, in areas with a higher proportion of immunocompromised individuals, the risks associated not just with pathogens but also with opportunistic microbiota need to be considered, highlighting the need for appropriate health precautions and strategies in these contexts.