European standards for raw milk are among the strictest in the food sector, designed to protect public health and provide a stable basis for processing. Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, updated through Commission decisions up to 2024, sets out two key microbiological criteria that must be met before milk can be delivered to a processor: a total bacterial count not exceeding 100,000 CFU/ml and a somatic cell count below 400,000 cells/ml, calculated as a geometric mean over three months. These values are confirmed annually by EFSA in its food safety reports.

EU-wide data show that approximately 1.5–2% of samples exceed the microbiological thresholds, according to EFSA’s 2024 assessments. Although the percentage is low, the economic impact on small farms is significant: non-compliant batches are not collected, and producers must implement corrective measures immediately. In parallel, Codex Alimentarius recommendations on raw milk hygiene introduce additional requirements on handling, prevention of contamination during milking and temperature control below 6°C in the first hours after collection.

The European Commission notes that non-compliance is more frequently recorded on small farms, particularly where cooling infrastructure is limited or hygiene procedures are not standardised. EFSA indicates that investment in modern cooling tanks can reduce microbial load by 20–30%, while the use of automated milking systems lowers the risk of secondary contamination.

In Romania, the fragmented structure of small farms increases exposure to non-compliance, but MADR and ANSVSA programmes aim to improve control through periodic inspections, training and the digitalisation of livestock records. Processors require testing of every batch received, and collection centres rely on rapid technologies capable of detecting deviations from microbiological standards within minutes.

EU standards are not only a compliance requirement but also a tool for market stabilisation. For small farms, investment in infrastructure, hygiene and continuous monitoring is essential for maintaining market access and integrating into modern processing chains. In 2025, competitiveness in the dairy sector depends directly on farms’ ability to operate in line with the parameters established by European legislation.

(Photo: Freepik)