Dairy sues to overturn Calif. milk law
Published: March 6, 2008 at 5:24 PM
FRESNO, Calif., March 6 (UPI) -- A California raw milk dairy is suing to overturn the state's newest milk safety standards law after it was penalized for high bacteria levels.
Organic Pastures, a Fresno, Calif., dairy, has been temporarily ordered by California agriculture officials to cease sales of its raw cream after it was found to have bacteria levels up to 150 times those allowed by the law, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported Thursday.
Organic Pastures and Watsonville, Calif., dairy Claravale Farm, which state officials warned could face a similar ban if its raw skim milk or raw cream fails anymore inspections, have filed suit to overturn the law.
"I was actually looking forward to this day," said Organic Farms owner Mark McAfee. "We're losing $10,000 a week on cream we can't sell."
The legislation, which took effect in January, requires raw milk dairies to pass inspections for all types of bacteria -- previously, they were tested only for bacteria strains known to be dangerous.
Organic Pastures, a Fresno, Calif., dairy, has been temporarily ordered by California agriculture officials to cease sales of its raw cream after it was found to have bacteria levels up to 150 times those allowed by the law, the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News reported Thursday.
Organic Pastures and Watsonville, Calif., dairy Claravale Farm, which state officials warned could face a similar ban if its raw skim milk or raw cream fails anymore inspections, have filed suit to overturn the law.
"I was actually looking forward to this day," said Organic Farms owner Mark McAfee. "We're losing $10,000 a week on cream we can't sell."
The legislation, which took effect in January, requires raw milk dairies to pass inspections for all types of bacteria -- previously, they were tested only for bacteria strains known to be dangerous.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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