When animal health issues make the news, it’s natural to have questions about the food in your refrigerator. For dairy farmers, veterinarians, processors and regulators, food safety is always the top priority.
The good news is clear: Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to enjoy. The U.S. dairy system has multiple safeguards in place to protect milk from the farm to your table, including animal care protocols, milk testing, regulatory oversight and pasteurization.
How Dairy Farmers Help Keep Milk Safe
Dairy farmers work closely with veterinarians to monitor herd health and care for their animals every day. Farms use biosecurity practices to help prevent the introduction and spread of illness, including controlled farm access, sanitation procedures, animal health monitoring and guidance from licensed veterinarians.
If a cow shows signs of illness, her milk is withheld from the food supply and handled according to strict farm, veterinary and regulatory protocols. These steps help ensure only safe, high-quality milk moves forward for processing.
Milk is Tested Before it Reaches Consumers
Milk safety does not rely on just one step. Before milk enters the processing system, it is tested numerous times. Milk that does not meet safety standards is rejected and does not enter the food supply.
Milk is also carefully handled during transport and processing. Tankers are temperature-controlled, milk samples are collected and processing facilities follow strict sanitation, testing and inspection requirements.
These safeguards are part of a broader food safety system guided by federal and state standards, including the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.
Pasteurization Provides Proven Protection
Pasteurization is a critical food safety step. It uses heat to inactivate harmful bacteria and viruses that may be present in raw milk while preserving milk’s nutritional value.
This proven process is one of many safeguards that helps ensure the milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy foods families buy at the grocery store are safe and nutritious choices. In the U.S., milk moves through a highly regulated food safety system before it reaches store shelves.
Raw, or unpasteurized, milk does not go through this important safety step and can carry harmful germs, including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and Campylobacter. Health officials recommend choosing pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The Bottom Line
You can feel confident serving milk, cheese, yogurt to your family. Dairy farmers care deeply about the health of their animals and the safety of the milk they produce, and the U.S. dairy system includes strong safeguards at every step.
From daily animal care to milk testing, processing standards and pasteurization, the dairy community is committed to providing safe, wholesome and nutritious foods for families.
