Evaluation of the hygienic quality of raw milk based on the presence of bifidobacteria: the cow as a source of faecal contamination

Fifty-eight samples of raw milk from three different farms were examined for the presence of bifidobacteria. Isolates were identified and compared with bifidobacteria isolated from dung of the cows that provided the milk. Of the raw milk samples, 88% harboured Bifidobacterium pseudolongum subsp. globosum, as did 95% of the dung samples.