[Studies on the Microbiological Quality of Mammary Gland Tissues (author's transl)]

During the period from August to December 1976, 239 bovine udders were examined for their microbiological quality. Counts were made of the total number of aerobes, anaerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform micro-organisms and staphylococci positive for coagulas and DNA-ase. The udders were examined for the presence or absence of Salmonella, E. coli and haemolytic streptococci. In addition, the Enterobacteriaceae were identified. The udders examined were from animals brought up for slaughter from all over the country. The studies were designed to examine whether udders are suited as raw material for products to be consumed by human individuals. The number of pathogenic bacteria isolated was found to be considerable and the average bacterial counts were rather high. The studies showed that the bacterial content of mammary-gland tissues has an adverse effect on the quality of raw meats made from these tissues so that they are not aceptable from the point of view of public health. Even when they are used as raw material for heated products, the risk of food poisoning caused by toxin produced by staphylococci cannot be entirely ruled out.