Food Safety
Protecting public confidence in milk and meat safety remains a top priority for dairy farmers and their cooperatives. The dairy industry partners with federal, state and local agencies to address food safety challenges through industry-driven initiatives and regulatory programs.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) play central roles in developing and enforcing standards to ensure consumers receive safe, high-quality dairy products. Critical to these efforts is the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). The PMO for the past century has greatly reduced the risk of foodborne illness, making U.S. Grade “A” milk and dairy products among the safest worldwide and reinforcing consumer confidence.
Our Position
NMPF supports uniform food safety inspection and compliance programs and works to ensure that federal food safety regulations are science-based and effective. NMPF also supports industry-led, on-farm security initiatives to reduce the incidence of pathogenic bacteria, including the National Dairy FARM Biosecurity Program, which incorporates the Secure Milk Supply Plan.
NMPF strongly opposes unpasteurized (raw) milk sales to consumers for direct consumption because of the increased risks of foodborne illness. NMPF supports continuing the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) as an effective forum to protect public health.
NMPF also strongly supports requiring imported dairy products to meet the same food safety standards as U.S.-produced products, emphasizing that it is the FDA’s responsibility to ensure compliance.
Key Points
- Dairy farmers and processors follow proven, science-driven protocols to reduce risks and prevent foodborne illness. Industry-led initiatives and regulatory programs continue to drive advances in sanitation, inspection and quality assurance.
- Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses by heating milk to a specific temperature over time. Pathogens that can be found in raw milk such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can cause serious illness. Good practices on farms can reduce contamination, but they don’t guarantee safety. Pasteurization has helped safeguard American public health for more than 100 years.
- Milk and milk products produced and processed in the United States are the world’s safest because of the milk safety programs in place, which includes pasteurization.
- Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits, without the risks, as raw milk consumption.
