Bacteriological Investigation on Milk Powder in the Egyptian Market with Emphasis on its Safety

One hundred and fifty random samples of milk powder, 100 whole milk powder samples [ 65 Brand [1] and 35 Brand (II) ] and 50 Infant milk formula (IMF) were collected from different local markets and pharmacies in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt, for bacteriological examination. The obtained results revealed that the mean values of total aerobic plate count were 1.5 04 ± 3.6x 103, 1.5 x 103 ± 2.8 x 102 and 1.4 x 103 ± 2.5 x 102 for whole milk powder Brand (I), (II) and IMF samples, respectively. 6 out of 65 samples of whole milk powder Brand (I) showed unaccepted count. Salmonellae could not be detected in any of the examined milk powder samples. B. cereus could be detected after plating on PEMBA agar using surface plate technique, confirmed B. cereus samples represented 44.6, 5.7 and 14.0 %, with an average count of 6.3xl02 ±1.4 xlO2, 3.8xl02 ± 2xl02 and 1.4xl02 ± 1.6 xlO for whole milk powder Brand (I), (II) and IMF samples, respectively. Staph, aureus enterotoxins could not be detected in all of the examined milk powder samples. The results allow concluding that milk powder in spite of its low moisture content may at times be responsible for food poisoning to consumers and may contaminate other food, if it included in its preparation.