To what temperature should raw milk be cooled?

To what temperature should raw milk be cooled?

• A. 45°F
• B. 32°F
• C. 40°F
• D. 50°F

Answer: (A)

Cooling raw milk quickly after milking helps slow the growth of bacteria and preserves quality. The standard target is to bring the milk down to 45°F (7°C) or lower as soon as possible and keep it cold until pasteurization. This temperature is low enough to inhibit most bacterial growth without risking freezing the milk components. Temperatures around 32°F can cause freezing and texture changes, while 50°F is too warm and would allow bacteria to multiply more rapidly. While 40°F is also below freezing and would be safe, the commonly cited guideline specifies 45°F as the target, which is why it’s given as the best answer.

Cooling raw milk quickly after milking helps slow the growth of bacteria and preserves quality. The standard target is to bring the milk down to 45°F (7°C) or lower as soon as possible and keep it cold until pasteurization. This temperature is low enough to inhibit most bacterial growth without risking freezing the milk components. Temperatures around 32°F can cause freezing and texture changes, while 50°F is too warm and would allow bacteria to multiply more rapidly. While 40°F is also below freezing and would be safe, the commonly cited guideline specifies 45°F as the target, which is why it’s given as the best answer.