Milk is an important food, supplying us with proteins, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins (Figure 12.8).

The provision of a safe supply of milk is of great importance for public health, with the following objectives:

• The improvement of nutritional status of infants, children and mothers.
• The prevention of disease or physical defects arising from malnutrition.
• The prevention of communicable, zoonotic disease transmission.
• The control of milk adulteration.