Hygiene and Safety of Hard Cheese Made from Raw Cows’ Milk

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Raw cheeses have gained the preference of some consumers because of their intense and stronger taste compared with that of pasteurised cheeses. The pasteurization of raw milk causes the inactivation of the pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms of milk and of enzymes such as proteases and lipases which play a significant role in enhancing the unique flavour of raw cheeses. This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological status of cheese made from unpasteurized cows’ milk, to examine the safety of the cheese and to observe the changes that occurred in its microbial community during ripening and storage. The microbiological quality of raw milk was found generally good and was improved throughout the experiments. For the cheese samples, a small increase in the prevalence of indicator microorganisms in curd and cheese samples was observed for the first few days, followed by a relatively stable condition as manufacturing proceeded and throughout the ripening of the final product. The outcome of our study was that the use of good-quality raw milk under sanitary conditions, the application of good manufacturing practices and a maturation period in a controlled environment were found to be the necessary prerequisites for the production of safe raw cheese products. ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological status of cheese made from unpasteurized cows’ milk, to examine the safety of the cheese and to observe the changes that occurred in its microbial community during ripening and storage. Furthermore, the pH, the moisture and salt concentration were also monitored throughout processing, ripening and storage. Seven cheesemaking trials took place along with the microbiological and physicochemical analysis of the milk, curd and cheese produced. The milk used for the cheesemaking, two curd samples before the heating and two after the heating, two cheese samples at days 3, 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90 were subjected to microbiological analysis for total mesophilic bacterial count (for milk only), Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Listeria, and Clostridium. The microbiological quality of raw milk was found to be good. It was initially slightly above the EU limit but improvements associated with farm biosecurity and milking equipment hygiene led to a significantly improved milk quality. A small increase in the prevalence of indicator microorganisms in curd and cheese samples was observed for the first few days, followed by a relatively stable condition as manufacturing proceeded and throughout the ripening of the final product. In two cheesemaking trials, Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp. were detected, the first originating from the milk and the second from the environment. The use of good-quality raw milk under sanitary conditions, the application of good manufacturing practices and a maturation period in a controlled environment were found to be the necessary prerequisites for the production of safe raw cheese products.