Report on the microbiological risks associated with the consumption of raw milk and raw milk-based products

At present in Spain, placing raw milk or cream on the market for direct human consumption is not restricted or prohibited if all requirements set out by Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 are met. However, direct supply of small quantities of raw milk from the producer to the end consumer or to local retail establishments that supply it directly to the end consumer is prohibited, according to Royal Decree 640/2006. The Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) is looking into the possibility of modifying Royal Decree 640/2006. Consequently, they have requested information from the Scientific Committee on the microbiological risks associated with consuming raw milk and raw milk-based products. The Committee was asked to draw up a report which was to take three factors into account: 1) the sale of raw milk and cream, including alternative ways of placing it on the market such as vending machines, 2) the production of raw-milk cheese aged for more than 60 days, which does not comply with somatic cell and aerobic germ criteria and 3) colostrum-related requirements. The Scientific Committee has drawn a report concerning its assessment of the microbiological risks associated with raw milk and cream. Many of the recommendations requested relating to other matters can be gleaned from this report. (...) consuming raw milk and insists they should be appropriately informed about the risks associated with it as well as the preventative hygiene measures that should be taken.ES; en; pfefsa@msssi.e