What should be done with milk collected from cows on antibiotics?

• A. Sold after standard pasteurization
• B. Blended with milk from other farms
• C. Discarded or collected separately
• D. Sent to cheese production

Answer: (C)

Milk from cows on antibiotics can contain drug residues that may persist even after pasteurization, and some antibiotics are not fully destroyed by heat. Because these residues can cause allergic reactions and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, this milk must not enter the normal supply. The best approach is to discard it or collect it separately until withdrawal times are complete or residue testing shows it’s safe. Options like selling after pasteurization, blending with milk from other farms, or sending to cheese production would risk introducing antibiotic residues into consumer products and violate safety guidelines.