Strategies to prevent milk adulteration in livestock groups in Medowo Village, Kediri District, East Java, Indonesia

Objective: This community service conducted by lecturers and graduate students from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universitas Airlangga aims to educate the prevention of milk adulteration in livestock groups in Medowo Village, Kandangan District, Kediri Regency. Milk quality is a crucial determinant of product selling value and consumer health, but the challenge of milk adulteration is still common, especially at the smallholder farm scale. This study aims to analyze and implement strategies to prevent milk adulteration in cattle groups in Medowo Village. Method: The methods used included the delivery of educational materials on identifying the characteristics of pure milk, early detection of indications of adulteration, and effective post-milking handling to maintain milk authenticity and quality. Data were collected through direct observation and a survey of farmers' understanding before and after the educational intervention. Result: The results showed a significant increase in farmers' understanding of the characteristics of real milk and counterfeiting prevention methods post-education. The majority of farmers showed a higher awareness of the importance of product integrity and potential losses due to counterfeiting. This improved understanding and practice is expected to contribute to increased consumer confidence, milk price stability and local food safety. Conclusion: This study underscores the urgency of continuous education programs and strict supervision for farmers in an effort to eradicate agricultural product counterfeiting and improve community welfare, particularly in milk production centers such as Medowo Village.