Monitoring quality indicators of cow's drinking milk

The quality of drinking milk, like any food product, is a combination of properties of drinking milk regarding its ability to meet the energy and nutrient needs of the human body, safety for its health, stability of composition, and consumer properties throughout the shelf life. This work presents the results of research on pasteurized milk from some manufacturers purchased in stores in Kharkiv. The study was conducted in the laboratory conditions of the Department of Sanitation, Hygiene, and Forensic Veterinary Medicine of the State Biotechnological University. The materials for the study were samples of cow's drinking milk from various Ukrainian producers with the same fat content, packaged in polyethylene film bags and in paper bags made of composite material of the "Pure-Pak" type. To ensure the objectivity of the study, samples from different producers were coded: TM Yahotynske (sample No. 1), TM “Slovianochka” (sample No. 2), TM “Selyanske” (sample No. 3), TM “Halychyna” (sample No. 4), TM “Ferma” (sample No. 5). The aim of this work is to study the organoleptic, physico-chemical indicators, and the naturalness of drinking milk in terms of compliance with the requirements of DSTU 2661:2010 "Cow's drinking milk. General technical conditions". Organoleptic studies were conducted using an expert method, determining appearance and consistency, taste, smell, color. Laboratory studies were conducted on the "Ekomilk" milk quality analyzer according to the instruction. We also conducted studies to detect falsification of drinking milk with flour, starch, soda, and fats of vegetable origin. During the research, it was established that, according to organoleptic indicators, all the studied samples meet the standard requirements. No falsifications in the form of flour, starch, or the addition of vegetable fat were detected in the samples. When comparing the indicators stated by the manufacturer, it was established that the protein content is actually lower than claimed by the manufacturer and does not meet the requirements of DSTU. At the same time, the fat content in the product is slightly higher than claimed.