This document summarizes a study on the microbiological quality of milk consumed in Kigali and Musanze cities in Rwanda. Milk samples were tested for bacteria indicators and Salmonella. Results found relatively high levels of milk contamination, with the highest levels in milk commercialized by mobile traders. Contamination was associated with a lack of cooling infrastructure and knowledge of hygienic handling practices. Recommendations include enhancing vendor knowledge and skills in hygienic handling, strengthening milk commercialization regulations, and supporting infrastructure for mobile traders to maintain milk quality and safety during distribution.

1. Microbacteriological
quality of milk
consumed in Kigali
and Musanze cities
(Rwanda).
Niyonzima Eugène, Kamana
Olivier, Ouma Emily, Flax
Valerie, Izerimana Lambert,
Bizinde Ben, Schreiner Mary-
Ann.
Introduction
• Thanks to programs like GIRINKA
that support the dairy sector, the
Rwandan milk production has
significantly increased during the
last decades.
• Important efforts need to be
deployed to assure the produced
milk is of good quality and safe for
the consumers.
Methods
• Milk consumption: Milk handling
& consumption practices at the
household level assessed
through a structured survey.
• Milk contamination: Milk
samples analyzed for the total
mesophilic count , Total
coliforms , Coagulase positive
staphylococci and qualitative
detection of Salmonella by
using conventional cultural
methods.
Results
• Levels of milk contamination
by hygiene indicator bacteria
and Salmonella prevalence
relatively high
• Highest contamination levels
recorded in milk
commercialized by mobile
traders
• Contamination principally
associated to the lack of
cooling infrastructures as well
as knowledge & skills in
hygienic handling of milk.
Recommendations
• Enhancing the knowledge &
skills of vendors on hygienic
handling of milk.
• Strengthening regulations
regarding the
commercialization of milk.
• Supporting through their
respective cooperatives milk
vendors especially mobile
traders in acquiring required
infrastructure and equipment
to maintain the quality and
safety of milk along its
distribution.
Future opportunities
• Molecular characterization of
Salmonella strains isolated
from milk and assess their
possible antibioresistance.
4.2 4.8 6.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Milk zones Canteens Mobile
traders
Contaminationlevels(logCFU/ml
Milk contamination by hygiene indicator
bacteria
Total
Mesophilic
counts
Total coliforms
Coagulase
positive
Staphylococci
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
Milk zones Canteens Mobile
traders
%ofpositivesamples
Occurrence of Salmonella in
the commercialized milk
Contact: RWA Ouma_ILRI (Reach)
- E.Ouma@cgiar.org
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