One fifth of samples of unpasteurised milk are of unacceptable quality
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In a letter published in this week's BMJ, de Louvois and Rampling report research into over one thousand samples of unpasteurised milk, bought in 242 retail outlets in England and Wales. The authors found that 41 samples from 26 separate retail outlets, contained potentially harmful bacteria, including campylobacter (19 samples), salmonella (five samples) and E coli 0157 (three samples). In total, samples from 128 of the 242 outlets contained either harmful bacteria or were of unacceptable hygienic quality which, the authors conclude, poses a risk to public health.
Contact:
John de Louvois, Head of Environmental Surveillance Unit, Public Health Laboratory Service, London
t: 0181 200 6868 x4949 f: 0181 905 9907 email:deLouvois@phls.co.uk