Polybrominated Biphenyls in Raw Milk and Processed Dairy Products

Milk from four dairy herds identified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture as containing less than .3 ppm (fat basis) physiologically incorporated polybrominated biphenyls was processed individually into cream, skim milk, butter, and stirred curd cheese. Pasteurized and freeze-dried whole milk, skim milk, and cream, spray-dried whole milk and skim milk, and condensed whole milk were made also. Polybrominated biphenyls were concentrated in the high-fat products. Pasteurized skim milk, buttermilk, and whey had slightly more polybrominated biphenyls than pasteurized whole milk on a fat basis. Spray-drying reduced the polybrominated biphenyls in whole milk and skim milk while pasteurization, freeze-drying, aging of cheese, and condensation were not effective.