Abstract:
The consumption of raw milk is a common practice among pastoral and agro-pastoral
communities of Tanzania. This behaviour predisposes consumers to the risk of
contracting milk-borne and zoonotic diseases. This study was carried out to assess milk
quality based on identification of bacterial contaminants indicated by total viable count
(TVC), total coliform count (TCC) and contamination with Brucella and E .coli 0157: H7
microorganisms. The study was carried out along the milk value chain (MVC) in Kilosa
and Mvomero Districts of Morogoro Region in Tanzania. A total of 109 milk samples
were collected along the MVC from farmers (54), milk vendors (31), milk collection
centres (6) and milk selling points (18). Collected milk samples were subjected to TVC,
TCC and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the presence of microorganisms in
the milk. Laboratory findings indicate that milk from Kilosa district had significantly
(p=0.015) higher TVC than milk from Mvomero district. The TVC varied significantly
(p=0.00) along the MVC in the two districts. Using PCR, the overall prevalence of
Brucella was 17.1% (n=82 out of 109), with the prevalence of 25.8% and 11.8% recorded
in Kilosa and Mvomero districts, respectively. The E. coli 0157:H7 was neither isolated
nor detected in all 109 milk samples processed. Such findings suggest that milk marketed
along the MVC is contaminated with Brucella organisms, thus posing public health risks
to consumers. It is recommended that concerted efforts should be made to safeguard
health of consumers through adopting various interventions that would reduce risks at
each node along the MVC in the study area.
