Clean Milk Production Practices in India with Special Reference to Zoonoses and Public Health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21525412Keywords:
Antibiotic Residues, Clean Milk Production, Dairy Hygiene, Milk-Borne Zoonoses, One HealthAbstract
India is the world's largest milk-producing nation, contributing approximately 24.76 percent of global milk output with an annual production of 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-2025 (DAHD, 2024). Despite of this achievement, the dairy sector faces persistent challenges related to milk hygiene, animal health management, and control of milk-borne zoonotic diseases. This article consolidates evidence on parameters affecting milk quality in India which includes animal health, milking hygiene, udder health, somatic cell count (SCC) and post-milking handling with particular emphasis on zoonoses of public health significance including brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and staphylococcal food poisoning. Further widespread zoonotic pathogens present in the informal milk supply chain in addition to inadequate pasteurization and poor farm hygiene poses significant risk to the consumer. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animals and subsequent antimicrobial residues in raw milk lead to the increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, creating awareness among the farmers and maintaining cold-chain infrastructure and implementing One Health practices are imperative for safe milk production.
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