FEDERAL-STATE QUALITY PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURING MILK

Abstract

This paper describes the broad responsibilities carried out by USDA in the field of inspection, grading, specifications, standards, and quality assurance of manufacturing milk and manufactured milk products. Effectiveness of this work depends, in a large measure, on Federal-State cooperation and on close working relationships between State regulatory agencies and the industry. We believe that manufacturing milk from the great majority of farms meets the present acceptable quality level. However, some areas in the country lag in milk quality and some individual farmers in all areas are not doing their part to keep up with the rest of the Nation on milk quality.The past year shows tremendous effort by many States to get needed legislation for quality and farm requirements for manufacturing milk. If your State didn't get legislation covering farm requirements, this is no excuse for delaying action on milk quality improvement. Consumer interests are insisting on action towards quality and wholesomeness of milk and dairy foods. We must move forward now on manufacturing milk quality.