The hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system is an important preventive method used in food production process, having been applied successfully in dairy farms for the control of pathogenic organisms and veterinary drug residues. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency and the main problems related to the application of HACCP system in a grade A dairy farm, to control the levels of bulked milk somatic cell counts (SCC) and microbial load, as well as the individual CMT - California Mastitis Test. The average SCC in bulked milk and the percentage of mastitis (as estimated by the CMT) were not affected after the system application. However, a reduction (P<0.05) in the number of affected quarters and mastitis score was observed. Mesophile and psychrotrophic counts in milk were not different (P>0.05) before and after the application of HACCP. However, fecal coliforms values decreased (P<0.05) in milk, hence indicating the system efficiency for the improvement of sanitary conditions of milk. The importance of both farm owner and staff commitment as an essential factor for the success of HACCP system in dairy farms is stressed.
HACCP; somatic cells; bacteriology; milk; quality
