Overview
To ensure the safety of New York's dairy products, the Department employs dozens of dairy products specialists who annually conduct approximately 7,000 inspections of farms and dairy processing plants. Specialists look for compliance with sanitation requirements and standards of identity, as well as economic fraud. In addition, the specialists sample over 15,000 dairy products that are sent to the Department’s Food Laboratory for analysis.
In addition, about 100 certified milk inspectors inspect about 4,000 dairy farms annually. These inspectors have been certified by the Department to perform dairy farm inspections, which include the sanitary conditions of the farm, the health of the cows, and the health of individuals working on the farm. Farms are inspected at least twice a year but may be inspected more frequently if irregularities are found.
Inspection Requirements
When a dairy begins operations, it must pass an initial inspection conducted by a certified milk inspector. These inspectors have been certified by the Department and licensed in NY to perform dairy farm inspections, which include the sanitary conditions of the farm, the health of the cows, and the health of individuals working on the farm. The inspection sheet stays on the farm and allows the producer to ship milk. Afterwards, a dairy products specialist conducts a follow up inspection to verify and evaluate the certified milk inspector’s work. Subsequent inspections by a certified milk inspector take place at least twice a year but may occur more frequently if irregularities are found.
Inspection Regions
Region 1: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming
Region 2: Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates
Region 3: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins
Region 4: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, St. Lawrence, Warren, Washington
Region 5: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington
Region 6: Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester
Region 7: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk