Looking Back: The History Behind the Milk & Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Center
by Keith Carlson, Executive Director
The Milk & Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Program grew out of a need in the dairy industry to respond to consumer criticism in the press. Its development was also spurred by regulators and elected officials who felt the dairy industry was not responding to consumers' demands that milk be of the highest possible safety and quality.
The consumers questioned the effect that dairy production was having on the environment. These consumers had serious questions concerning the handling of dairy animals and of the milk and dairy beef products as well as the care of the land and water in the area of the milk producer's facility.
As a result of these serious questions, a group of dairy and veterinary organizations encouraged development of the Milk & Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Center. The center is committed to providing consumers with safe, high-quality products which are produced in a responsible, cost-effective manner.
The first educational initiative, directed at antibiotic residues in milk and dairy beef, was launched in 1991. Materials for dairy-animal care and the environment were released shortly afterward.
Currently, efforts are underway to address possible consumer concerns regarding the dairy industry's use of labor. An active verification program is in place which collects data for milk and dairy beef markets. Nearly 10,000 milk producers have data at the center.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at the Milk & Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Center at 1-800-55-DAIRY.