Jordan; New Draft Regulation on Microbiological Criteria for Milk and Its Products
Amman, Jordan – The Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) has released a new draft regulation titled "Hygiene Affairs and Food Safety – Microbiological Criteria for Foodstuffs: Part 1 - Milk and Its Products" . This draft aims to update and align Jordanian standards with international, regional, and national microbiological criteria for milk and its products.
Key Highlights of the Draft Regulation:
- Scope and Purpose: The draft regulation specifies the microbiological criteria for milk and its products to ensure food safety and public health. It aims to harmonize Jordanian standards with those of the European Union, Gulf Cooperation Council, and other international bodies, facilitating smoother trade and reducing technical barriers.
- Microbiological Criteria: The regulation outlines specific microbiological limits for various milk products, including raw milk, pasteurized milk, UHT milk, fermented milk products, and cheeses. These criteria cover total bacterial counts, specific pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli, and spoilage organisms.
- Acceptance and Rejection Rules: The draft provides detailed guidelines for the acceptance and rejection of milk products based on microbiological testing results. Products exceeding the specified microbial limits will be deemed non-compliant.
The JSMO is the national body responsible for developing and maintaining standards in Jordan. This draft regulation is part of JSMO's ongoing efforts to enhance food safety and public health by updating and harmonizing national standards with international best practices.
Next Steps:
Following the public comment period, JSMO will review the feedback and make necessary revisions to the draft regulation. The final regulation will then be adopted and enforced, ensuring that milk and its products in Jordan meet the highest standards of microbiological safety.
For more information, please visit the JSMO website.