The study was conducted in Sidama and Gedio zone, southern Ethiopia. Dale, Hawassa zuria and Hagere selam
were selected from Sidama zone and Dilla zuria from Gedio zone. A total of 177 households were interviewed.
A total of 34 % and 17 % of producers had knowledge about standard and Ethiopian dairy products standards
in the studied districts respectively. Although the majorities of respondents follow standardized housing and
feeding, very few of the respondents know about standard milk production (9%) and also hazard analysis
critical control points (HACCP)(3%).The respondents indicated that they do not bother about safety in
purchasing milk and milk products from different sources. Accordingly, 74%, 40%, 38% of respondents
indicated that babies (0-3yrs), children and pregnant women were more vulnerable to dairy food borne
illnesses respectively. The result also indicated that 24.7% of respondents utilize locally produced milk
products and 15% utilizes imported milk products. Out of the interviewed producers 91% wash their hand,
77% wash cow udder and teat (30%). Lack of awareness (57%) and supply problem (51%) were the major
constraints in consuming standardized milk products in the studied districts. Therefore, integrating private milk
vendors in the formal marketing system through licensing and quality control, improvement of milk and dairy
products quality since the consumption of contaminated milk and milk products poses potential hazard to the
consumer, awareness creation and training, enforcement of regulatory quality standards and introduction of
technological interventions are required.