Surveillance of Milk Products for Penicillin as Done by the Dairy Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract

In 1974 a State regulatory agency found penicillin in an interstate shipment of nonfat dry milk (NDM). Food and Drug Administration checks in the source State showed that industry and regulatory follow up on offending producers was not always adequate to assure segregation of adulterated milk from use either in fluid or manufactured products. Other States reported the USDA their findings of penicillin-positive NDM. Dairy Division in March, 1975 inaugurated a penicillin surveillance program on NDM offered for official grading. Official grading is required for NDM purchased under the government price support program and by several commercial buyers. There was prompt action by industry to cooperate with State regulatory agencies in educational work with farmers and veterinarians to keep penicillin-positive milk from the market. Industry stepped up its testing of fluid and dry milk products. The results to date show much has been accomplished toward eliminating penicillin and other antibiotics from raw milk supplies and finished dairy products.