State says Hadley farm sold raw milk illegally

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http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2008/02/state_says_hadley_farm_sold_ra.html

State says Hadley farm sold raw milk illegally

Posted by The Republican Newsroom February 15, 2008

15:09PM

BOSTON - The state Department of Agricultural Resources has alerted

consumers to the possible illegal presence of antibiotics in

unpasteurized milk purchased directly from Hartsbrook Farm in Hadley.

Hartsbrook had been selling raw milk without a valid state permit,

according to the DAR.

A routine sample of milk, taken by a state-certified laboratory Monday,

confirmed the presence of antibiotics. Milk is tested for antibiotics

under U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state guidelines, and there

is zero tolerance under the regulations for the presence of antibiotics

in raw milk. Antibiotics entering the food chain may lead to allergic

reactions in humans and to the development of antibiotic resistant

strains of bacteria.

Under Massachusetts regulations, consumers may purchase unpasteurized

milk only from the farm where it is produced, and farms selling raw milk

must be licensed by the DAR. Retail food stores and restaurants are

prohibited from selling and using unpasteurized milk.

The antibiotic-tainted milk from Hartsbrook Farm did not enter any stores

or other food distribution channels, and no illnesses associated with

products from the farm have been reported to the state. Consumers who

purchased directly from Hartsbrook should discard the milk immediately,

officials said.

Don Neeper

Senior Software Engineer

SofTechnics, a METTLER TOLEDO Company

dneeper@...

don.neeper@...

http://www.OhioRawMilk.info/dneeper