HARRISBURG, PA — A protracted battle over food safety regulations between state officials and a Pennsylvania farm has culminated in legal action. Attorney General Michelle Henry, in conjunction with the state Department of Agriculture, this week filed a complaint against Miller’s Organic Farm, its owners, and associated businesses.
The underlying issue revolves around the farm’s alleged violations of Pennsylvania’s Milk Sanitation Law, Food Safety Act, Retail Food Facility Safety Act, and Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The complaint highlights the farm’s purported failure to obtain necessary licenses and permits, illegal sale of raw milk products, and the distribution of raw milk and its derivatives beyond Pennsylvania’s borders.
Public health concerns have been amplified by reports of two recent E. coli cases from other states suspected to be linked to the farm’s raw milk or related products. Additionally, samples collected earlier this month by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tested positive for Listeria, a bacteria posing significant health risks, especially to young children, older people, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Attorney General Henry expressed her concerns, stating, “For years, this business has brushed off efforts to bring its commercial farm operation into compliance with the law.” She emphasized that food safety laws exist to protect the public, and Pennsylvanians should be aware of the contents of the products they consume.
The struggle to bring Miller’s Organic Farm into compliance is not new. In 2019, a federal court ordered the farm to adhere to Pennsylvania licensing requirements and all relevant food codes after violations of federal laws concerning meat and poultry handling. Despite multiple findings of contempt for failing to follow that order, the farm’s owner agreed to a consent decree in August 2023, affirming his responsibility to comply with Pennsylvania’s laws. This agreement remains in effect today.
The potential implications are vast, from the immediate health risks posed to consumers to the broader issue of maintaining public trust in local food sources. As this legal battle unfolds, it serves as a potent reminder of the critical role of state and federal regulations in safeguarding public health.
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