Which quality indicator would NOT be used to assess raw milk quality prior to pasteurization?

• A. Standard Plate Count (SPC)
• B. Vitamin content
• C. Coliform count
• D. Somatic Cell Count (SCC)

Answer: (B)

Quality checks on raw milk before pasteurization focus on microbial load and udder health, because these factors directly impact safety and processing performance. Standard Plate Count gives a broad measure of bacteria in the milk, so higher values flag potential hygiene problems or spoilage risk. Coliform count indicators reveal sanitary quality and possible fecal contamination, which are important for assessing hygiene and safety. Somatic Cell Count reflects udder health; elevated SCC signals mastitis and can affect milk quality and shelf life.

Vitamin content, on the other hand, does not signal microbial safety, hygiene status, or udder health. Vitamin levels can vary with cow diet, lactation stage, and genetics and aren’t reliable indicators of raw-milk quality or pasteurization outcomes, so they aren’t used as a standard quality check before pasteurization.