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The microbiological quality of raw cows’ milk, taken at different intervals from the udder to the selling point in Bamako was studied. Prior to taking the milk samples, each container and all the related material used were flushed with sterile water and bacteriological determination were made. A strong increase in the total count (TC) of bacteria was observed during transport from the farm to the market (107 colony forming unit per ml (CFU ml−1)). The main indicators considered were TC, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus. The milk containers of the farmer and the milk vendor played a major role in the increase in the milk flora that occurred during transport from the farm to the selling points. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]