Calidad higiénico-sanitaria de la leche, una prioridad para los productores

Background: Higher hygienic-sanitary quality of milk is a priority for farmers. However, the fulfillment of this goal could be affected due to several aspects that influence its indicators, from production on dairy farms to conservation, and transport to the industry. Aim. To provide state of the art scientific information about the importance of meeting quality hygiene and sanitary parameters in milk, and the factors related to production. Methods: A review of recent bibliography on the importance of milk in human nutrition, hygienic-sanitary quality, and the main conditioning factors, especially mastitis, was made. Development: Milk is an important food in terms of nutrition, so its quality and safety must be ensured. Among the factors that modify its hygienic-sanitary quality are proper application of milking routines, hygiene, conservation conditions, transportation, and the presence of mastitis in herds. Conclusions: Milk is an essential product in the diet of humans due to its nutritional value; hence, meeting proper hygiene and sanitary parameters that ensure safety and harmlessness is a priority for farmers. Among the main factors that can deteriorate these indicators are management of hygienic conditions of production, and the presence of mastitis.    Key words: milking, mastitis, milking hygiene, harmlessness (Source MeSH)