State to Step Up Inspection of Milk Processors

California plans to beef up inspections of its milk processors after finding that some companies weren’t following the state’s high nutrition standards for milk.

Milk processors, now subject to random inspections, would have every variety of milk they sell tested at least 10 times a year to make sure they are putting in enough extra milk solids to give the product the protein and calcium California requires, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“The performance of the dairy industry has been below standard,� said Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the state agency. “We want our consumers to know they are getting the level of nutrition in their milk that is required.�

Previously, state dairy officials had been inspecting the state’s 29 dairy processing facilities on a case-by-case basis and, short of issuing a few warning letters, they had not sought legal action against violators of the standards.

Lyle said the food and agriculture department did not want to take action against violators while these standards were still facing a legal challenge. Now, almost a year after the California Supreme Court upheld the state’s enrichment rules and a coalition of out-of-state dairies that challenged the rules decided not to appeal, the agency is ready to vigorously enforce them.

The new milk inspection program will include expanded testing at the retail level and a prescribed protocol for sampling and notification of violations. Violations could lead to potential prosecution by the attorney general’s office for unfair business practices.