Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the suspension of its Grade A raw milk and finished product Proficiency Testing (PT) program. New York State Agriculture Commissioner has responded to reassure the public that the safety of New York milk and dairy products remains uncompromised.
“I want to be clear: this move does not put the safety of New York milk and dairy products in jeopardy,” reassured the Commissioner. Emphasizing that the State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets will maintain its routine testing at plants, receiving stations, and farms. “The Department continues to be on the front lines of protecting the State’s food and dairy supply with inspectors… maintaining their daily inspections on our farms and in our stores,” further stated the Commissioner.
The Department’s mission involves several divisions, including the Divisions of Food Safety and Inspection (FSI) and Milk Control and Dairy Services (MCDS), as well as the Food Laboratory, all working together to ensure the safety of the food supply. According to the Commissioner, “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.”
MCDS holds inspections of fluid plants, manufacturing plants, and wholesale frozen dessert plants every 90 days, following the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. The division also samples most milk and dairy products monthly. In 2024, MCDS conducted 6,949 inspections and submitted 15,587 samples for testing.
FSI inspects various establishments including food processing plants, retail food stores, warehouses, home processors, and slaughterhouses. The division is also responsible for on-farm inspections. In 2024, FSI conducted 23,783 inspections and submitted 2,785 samples for analysis.
Both FSI and MCDS samples underwent 422,336 tests for biological and chemical contaminants at the New York State Food Laboratory, underscoring the ongoing commitment to public safety in the state’s food supply.
