Food Industry Webinars & Online Events
Understanding the Impact of Pathogenic Spores on Milk Safety: From Farm to Manufacturing
Spore-forming pathogens present a persistent and complex challenge in dairy production, with significant implications for product safety. These microorganisms, particularly species of Clostridium and Bacillus, are highly resilient in spore form, capable of surviving pasteurization and other heat treatments, and are commonly introduced through farm environments such as soil, silage, water, and bedding.
This webinar will provide a focused exploration of spore-forming pathogens in the dairy supply chain, beginning at the farm level and extending through processing and finished products. We will examine the primary sources and transmission pathways of spores, and how on-farm practices directly influence downstream risks, and mitigation strategies at the farm and processing levels.
The session will also cover current and emerging detection methods, risk monitoring approaches, and targeted mitigation strategies. By connecting farm management practices with manufacturing outcomes, this webinar aims to equip dairy professionals with practical, actionable strategies to mitigate risk, improve milk quality, and enhance product performance.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify the major spore-forming pathogens relevant to dairy production (e.g., Clostridium spp., Bacillus spp.), including their biological characteristics and resistance mechanisms.
- Explain the primary on-farm sources and transmission pathways of spore contamination, including the role of silage quality, hygiene practices, bedding materials, and environmental exposure.
- Analyze the impact of spore-forming pathogens on dairy processing and finished products, including their role in dairy safety and quality.
- Evaluate current detection, enumeration, and monitoring methods for spore-formers, including their advantages, limitations, and appropriate applications across the supply chain.
- Apply targeted and integrated control strategies to reduce spore loads, linking on-farm interventions (e.g., feed and hygiene management) with processing controls (e.g., clarification, filtration, thermal strategies, etc).
