Microbiological composition of raw milk from selected farms in the Camembert region of Normandy

Raw milk from 27 farms was sampled over 6 months for listerias, salmonellas, Yersinia enterocolitica and campylobacters. Total bacterial counts and somatic cell counts were measured. Lactococci, lactobacilli, dextran‐producing leuconostocs, Brevibacterium linens, yeasts and moulds, Staphylococcus aureus and other Micrococcaceae, Pseudomonas, coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens and spores of anaerobic lactate‐fermenting bacteria were also counted. Pseudomonas (2000 cfu ml−1), lactococci (760 cfu ml−1) and Micrococcaceae (720 cfu ml−1) were the most numerous groups. Lactic acid bacteria were detected in all samples. Coliforms were present in most samples, but 84% of samples had counts