The study investigated consumer perceptions of milk safety and consumption preferences of dairy products. Households randomly selected from urban areas (n = 135) and non‐urban areas (n = 135) were surveyed using semi‐structured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate probability of households preferring to consume particular milk products and that of milk safety knowledge being important to households. Urban households were 2.8 times more likely to consume fresh milk (p < .05). Households from urban areas were two times more likely to purchase fresh milk from the kiosks, while households from non‐urban areas were five times more likely to buy fresh milk from vendors. The likelihood of appearance, quality and nutritional value of milk products being important to households was higher in urban locations compared to non‐urban locations. Consumers prioritized price and convenience over milk safety. Knowledge and awareness of milk safety issues was more important to urban households.Practical applicationsUnderstanding consumption preferences and consumer perceptions enables regulatory agencies, policy‐makers, and the dairy industry to make informed decisions and to put in place awareness programs on the risks of purchasing potentially contaminated milk through informal markets.

The study investigated the perceptions of milk producers on milk quality and safety. Randomly selected large-scale farmers ( = 158) and small-scale farmers ( = 186) were surveyed using semistructured questionnaires. An ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of farmers considering milk quality and safety important. Large-scale farmers were 3 times more likely to consider that breed affects milk quality compared to their small-scale counterparts. Farmers aged over 30 years were 3 times more likely to indicate that hygiene affected milk quality. The likelihood of milk transportation affecting its quality was 4 times higher in small-scale farmers compared to large-scale producers. Postmilking contamination of milk was perceived to occur during transportation by small-scale farmers, whilst commercial farmers ranked storage as the important source of contamination after milking. Udder diseases were ranked first by large-scale farmers while small-scale farmers ranked milking environment as the major cause of milk spoilage. The likelihood of milk safety being important was two times higher in large farms compared to small-scale farms. Intervention programmes on milk safety should mainly target small-scale dairy farmers since they are less concerned about milk quality and safety.

The study investigated the effect of structural conditions of milk processing facilities and food safety systems on E. coli and coliform presence in buttermilk. Milk records collected by Dairy Services Zimbabwe (DSZ) from large-scale dairy milk processors (n=12) and small-scale farms (n=15) were analysed. Binomial logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of E. coli or coliforms being present in cultured buttermilk as a function of the hygiene level and structural adequacy of the processors. The likelihood of having E. coli and coliforms in cultured milk from processors with poor sanitary premises was two times higher than that from processors with good sanitary premises (P<0.05). Milk processors that used unfiltered water were 1.77 times more likely to produce cultured buttermilk contaminated with E. coli (P<0.05). Processors without food safety systems like hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) systems were more than twice likely to produce cultured buttermilk contaminated by E. coli and coliforms (P<0.05). Poor structural condition of roofs, windows, insect-proof screens, and drainage in small- and large-scale processing facilities results in production of cultured buttermilk that is contaminated by E. coli and coliforms.

The study determined the effect of physical state of farm housing on total bacteria and somatic cell count (SCC) of cow milk. Milk records collected at Dairy Services Zimbabwe were used. Effects of physical state of ceilings, doors, ventilation, walls, drains, fly‐proofs, windows and roof type on total bacterial count (TBC) in milk, and SCC were determined using general linear models procedure. Poor physical state of ceilings, doors and floors in milking parlors, wash rooms and bulk tank rooms result in high TBC and SCC in milk (p < 0.05). Poor ventilation in the bulk tank room results in high TBC in milk (p < 0.05). Floors, doors, and ceilings of milking houses should be kept in sound condition and good repair in order minimize TBC and SCC in raw milk. Practical applications Understanding how physical state of farm houses and management practices affect total bacterial count and somatic cell count in fresh milk enables farmers and regulatory agencies to put in corrective action to reduce bacterial contamination of milk at farm level. This helps keep the population of disease causing bacteria in raw milk, which is widely consumed by human beings, as low as possible. It also helps reduce contamination by some resistant bacteria that might survive processing and cause further defects in milk products. The shelf‐life of the milk and its products is, thus, improved. Reducing bacterial and somatic cell count in raw milk also helps the milk producers to score high milk grades on the market and, thus, fetch high prices.