From the viewpoint of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, its encounter Saturday with Organic Pastures Dairy Co. was just another food-related matter. "We had a complaint, and we were responding to the complaint," says Terrance Powell, director of the agency’s Food Inspection Bureau. "The complaint was of someone selling unlabeled milk in a container with a red top, and that was what we found."
Powell said the complaint came from a consumer, much as most complaints about food problems at restaurants and other outlets. He also said his agency sent one inspector, and he thought the California Department of Food and Agriculture may have sent one or more of its own inspectors.
Powell said that Organic Pastures claimed the unlabeled milk "was being held for another use." Unfortunately, "it was being stored and co-mingled with product for sale"–a no-no. All product for sale in a retail setting must be properly labeled, he said.
Organic Pastures’ contention that the unlabeled raw milk wasn’t for sale, but was to be used for making cheese, is something the firm can explain Friday at a hearing scheduled at the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The evidence will be heard by any of several officials of the agency–possibly Powell.
There are a range of possible outcomes, from an order to discard the unlabeled milk "on up to a criminal case," said Powell.
I’ll try to get news on the hearing Friday. Looks like the lawyer for Organic Pastures is going to be staying busy.
Recent Comments