Question

In which one of the following dairy products is the aerobic plate count NOT included in process hygiene criteria, as prescribed by FSSAI?

• A. Cheese spread
• B. Milk lollies
• C. Fermented milk products
• D. Ice candy

Hint:

Microbiological Quality Criteria: Fermented Milk Products (Dahi/Yoghurt) EXCLUDE Aerobic Plate Count from hygiene criteria because beneficial starter LAB naturally exceed $10^7\text{ cfu/g}$.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Food Safety and Standards Regulations microbiological standards: Fermented milk products naturally contain billions of live, viable lactic acid starter bacteria ($> 10^7 ext{ cfu/g}$); therefore, non-selective Aerobic Plate Count (APC TPC) cannot be applied as a hygiene metric.
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{Fermented Milks (Dahi/Yoghurt): Live LAB Starter Flora } \ge 10^7\text{ cfu/g} \implies \mathbf{Aerobic \text{ } Plate \text{ } Count \text{ is EXCLUDED}} \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In dairy microbiological standards and food safety criteria (FSSAI Regulations 2011, Appendix B):
- Aerobic Plate Count (APC Standard Plate Count SPC) measures total viable aerobic mesophilic bacteria.
1. In standard manufactured dairy products (Ice cream, Milk lollies, Processed cheese, Butter, Milk powders), APC is a primary statutory process hygiene criterion (e.g., APC $\le 250,000\text{ cfu/g}$).
2. Fermented Milk Products (Dahi, Yoghurt, Cultured Buttermilk, Acidophilus milk) (C): Because these cultured products obligately contain enormous populations of intentionally inoculated, live, viable lactic acid bacteria (minimum regulatory requirement of $\ge 10^7\text{ cfu/g}$), a total non-selective Aerobic Plate Count is NOT included in process hygiene criteria. Hygiene is monitored strictly by testing for specific indicator organisms (Coliforms, Yeasts and Molds, E. coli) and foodborne pathogens.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, APC is NOT included for Fermented milk products, corresponding to option (C).