Potential Hazards Associated with Raw Donkey Milk Consumption: A Review.

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Public Health
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Donkey milk is a viable alternative for infants with cow milk protein intolerance and multiple food hypersensitivities.
• Research on donkey milk has significantly increased in the last 15 years due to its nutritional and hypoallergenic properties.
• Ensuring the safety of donkey milk is crucial, as infants and children are its primary consumers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential hazards present in raw donkey milk.
• To identify key areas for risk assessment and control in the donkey milk supply chain.
• To emphasize the importance of official controls and traceability systems.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of existing data on raw donkey milk safety.
• Inclusion of data not widely available in international literature.
• Analysis of potential biological, chemical, and parasitic contaminants.

Main Results:

• Identified key hazards in raw donkey milk include bacteria, fungal toxins, parasites, and chemical pollutants.
• Highlighted gaps in current scientific knowledge regarding comprehensive risk assessment.
• Stressed the need for enhanced official controls, particularly at the primary production level.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to improve scientific understanding for effective risk assessment in the donkey milk chain.
• Competent authorities must implement stricter official controls and traceability systems.
• Prioritizing safety measures is essential to protect consumers, especially vulnerable infants and children.