Bacteriological quality of ready-mixed mink feed in Finland.

Frozen samples of Finnish ready-mixed mink feed were analyzed for total bacterial count, the number of faecal streptococci, the coliform count, the number of haemolytic bacteria and the number of sulphite-reducing bacteria. The investigation comprised 242 feed samples from 38 central kitchens and larger private farm kitchens, the combined feed production of which is about 85 % of the yearly feed production of Finland. Of all samples 48.3 % had a total bacterial count of 10 … 6} × × 10 × 10 × 10 … 10 × 10 … 10 , and 17.2 % were negative. The mean content of sulphite-reducing bacteria was lowest during the second production period (March-April). The results are discussed and compared with corresponding results from Norway and Denmark.