Just like people, cows can get sick. When they do, a sick cow might be given medicine or antibiotics. A sick cow is still milked on schedule, but the milk she produces is discarded until she is off antibiotics. All milk is tested for antibiotics before processing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supervises this process, using a strict system of checks and balances to ensure consumers that milk is safe to drink. There are stiff penalties for the farmer if a batch of milk tests positive for antibiotics. The cow’s milk is collected once her health improves and she is free of antibiotics.
