The quality of our goat milk-based formula matters a great deal to us. In this article, we explain how we actually safeguard that quality, from farm to factory.
The Dutch goat dairy sector stands out for its quality control. All our goat farms work according to KwaliGeit, the quality system that sets the highest standards and checks for every individual goat farm. Goat health and welfare are a top priority for our farmers. Our goat milk collection company, Holland Goat Milk (HGM), also pays farmers a premium for the highest-quality milk, to guarantee the best basis for our Kabrita products.
How does this work in practice?
As a company, we're a member of the Dutch Dairy Goat Organisation (NZGO), meaning all our farmers work according to KwaliGeit protocols. This system sets criteria for milk production and cooling, farm hygiene, veterinary medicines and antibiotics, animal health and welfare, good production practices, and feed and drinking water. An accredited third party checks our goat farms for compliance with these protocols.
The milk is collected by our trained, certified drivers. Before a batch of milk moves from the tanker into the factory, it's checked for the absence of antibiotics and for organoleptic properties such as taste, colour, and smell. Before further processing, we also check additional parameters, including protein, fat, and bacteria levels.
Is the milk GMO-free?
GMO stands for genetically modified organism. Our goat farmers aren't certified for GMO-free milk production, but the milk our goats produce doesn't itself contain GMOs - even if the feed isn't 100% GMO-free, since this doesn't carry over into the milk. In the Netherlands, only 8% of goats are kept on organic farms, meaning the goat milk supply for our Kabrita products can't be guaranteed using only organic milk.
Outdoors or indoors?
Most of our farmers keep their goats indoors year-round. This isn't organic farming, but a deliberate choice, for a few reasons:
- Goats are natural climbers, used to mountainous terrain where they mainly eat leaves from trees and shrubs, and relatively little grass. Even in a field, they'll instinctively seek out trees and bushes before grazing on grass.
- Keeping goats indoors reduces the risk of parasites and worms, and makes this easier to control.
- Indoors, the goats' health is easier to monitor, and the climate can be well regulated: an adult goat is most comfortable between 10 and 20°C, with humidity of 60 to 70%. This also protects the goats from too much rain or sun, while daylight and fresh air are preserved in the barn as much as possible.
Want to learn more about the goats behind goat dairy products? Visit ontdekdegeit.nl (Dutch-language site).