, 2.5 × 10 5 and 9.7 × 10 7 cfu/cm 2 , respectively, in the different units. Phenotypic identification of isolates revealed predominance of Gram-positive bacilli belonging to Bacillus and notably the Bacillus cereus group, at maximal levels of 72 and 21% respectively. The other Gram-positive microflora included Staphylococcus (30%) and Micrococcus (10%). In contrast, the incidence of the Gram-negative bacteria was relatively low. Two genera, identified as Pseudomonas (9%) and Enterobacter (6%), were found only in two dairies. Three dairies were Gram-negative bacteria-free. That should be the result of common contamination sources or highly environmental selective pressure. Further studies have to address these hypotheses. Treatment of experimental Bacillus cereus sensu lato strains biofilms with a 50, 100 and 150 ppm of quaternary ammonium disinfectant, showed a significant resistance of biofilms to this product even after long exposure time (15 min). This study emphasized the importance of aerobic spore-forming bacteria in dairy-processing equipment as they are able to built recalcitrant biofilms on the inside equipment surfaces with subsequent resistance to conventional CIP system and potential transfer to pasteurized milk. Therefore, in order to reduce the contamination levels of spore-forming bacteria and improve the quality and shelf life of the product, these dairies have, besides improvement in the hygienic status of the plant equipments, also to monitor either the pasteurization process or the contamination from raw material (that is, milk powder).