Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Proper milking hygiene is essential to maintaining the microbiological quality of milk on-farm.
Reason (R) : Poor milking hygiene practices can lead to contamination by various microorganisms, which can spoil milk or pose health risks.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

To verify the link between an Assertion and a Reason, read them together using "because": "Proper hygiene is essential... because poor hygiene leads to contamination and spoilage." This confirms that (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Harvesting high-quality raw milk requires strict sanitation practices to prevent environmental microbes from contaminating the milk supply.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Assertion (A): Maintaining proper milking hygiene (such as cleaning udders, sanitizing equipment, and keeping milkers' hands clean) is essential to minimize the entry of bacteria into harvested milk. Thus, Assertion (A) is correct.
- Reason (R): If hygiene is poor, bacteria from the cow's skin, soil, manure, or milking equipment can enter the milk, causing rapid spoilage (such as souring or off-flavors) and introducing pathogens that pose public health risks. This directly explains why hygiene is so essential. Thus, Reason (R) is correct and provides the logical explanation for Assertion (A).

Step 3: Final Answer
Since both statements are correct and the Reason directly explains the Assertion, the correct option is (A).