The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended its quality control program for testing fluid milk and other dairy products, according to reports. The suspension, which began Monday, is due to capacity limitations following recent budget cuts. Reuters, citing an internal FDA email, reported that the pause affects Grade “A” products—those meeting the highest sanitary standards—including both raw milk and finished dairy items.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A Ball released this statement on the FDA’s suspension:
“Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has suspended its Grade A raw milk and finished product Proficiency Testing (PT) program. I want to be clear: this move does not put the safety of New York milk and dairy products in jeopardy. I want to reassure New Yorkers that the State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets (Department), which already routinely tests New York’s milk and dairy products at plants, receiving stations, and farms, will continue its work as usual.
The Department continues to be on the front lines of protecting the State’s food and dairy supply with inspectors from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services and the Division of Food Safety and Inspection maintaining their daily inspections on our farms and in our stores, as well as experts from our New York State Food Laboratory who are conducting quality control testing at the State level. New York State prioritizes the health and safety of its consumers, and New Yorkers should feel confident in their food supply, because here in New York State, it’s business as usual.”
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
