Food & Drug Administration Dairy Regulation
The dairy industry is regulated on both a federal and state level. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) distributes strict guidelines for those seeking to distribute, store, sell or process milk.-
History
-
Strict laws and ordinances have improved the cleanliness of dairy products. According to the FDA, milk was the cause of 25 percent of illnesses due to food borne contamination in 1938. In 2009, the figure was less than 1 percent.
Types
-
The dairy industry is regulated by many laws pertaining to different aspects of milk production. The Grade "A" Dairy Ordinance, for example, outlines sanitary guidelines to improve milk safety. The National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, an FDA subsidiary, decides law relating to dairy transportation between states.
Considerations
-
While states must adhere to FDA standards, they have leeway on issues such as the allowance of raw or unpasteurized milk and practices related to starting and running a commercial dairy facility.
-