Microbiological composition of raw milk from selected farms in the Camembert region of Normandy

Raw milk from 27 farms was sampled over 6 months for listerias, salmonellas, Yersinia enterocolitica and campylobacters. Total bacterial counts and somatic cell counts were measured. Lactococci, lactobacilli, dextran-producing leuconostocs, Brevibacterium linens, yeasts and moulds, Staphylococcus aureus and other Micrococcaceae, Pseudomonas, coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and spores of anaerobic lactate-fermenting bacteria were also counted. Pseudomonas (2000 cfu ml(-1)), lactococci (760 cfu ml(-1)) and Micrococcaceae (720 cfu ml(-1)) were the most numerous groups. Lactic acid bacteria were detected in all samples. Coliforms were present in most samples, but 84% of samples had counts < 100 cfu ml(-1). Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 62% of milks, the average count was 410 cfu ml(-1). About 80% of supplies had less than or equal to 10 E. coli cfu ml(-1) and all samples had less than or equal to 1 Cl. perfringens cfu ml(-1). Two of the tested milks were positive for salmonellas (2.9%), four were positive for Listeria monocytogenes (5.8%), 25 for Yersinia enterocolitica (36%) and one for campylobacters (1.4%).