Which practice is used to test for antibiotic residues in milk before accepting it onto a truck?

• A. Test is performed after the milk leaves the processing plant
• B. A sample is taken before accepting milk onto the truck
• C. Only test if there is a consumer complaint
• D. No testing is performed

Answer: (B)

The practice focuses on catching antibiotic residues at the earliest point in the supply chain, before the milk is moved off-farm or loaded onto a transport truck. Milk can carry antibiotic residues if dairy cows were treated with antibiotics; even small amounts can affect processing, flavor, and safety, and they’re regulated with maximum residue limits. By taking a sample and testing it before accepting the milk onto the truck, the facility can prevent non-compliant milk from entering the transportation stream and the processing plant. If residues are detected, the milk can be diverted or rejected, avoiding contamination of a whole load and potential regulatory penalties or recalls.

This pre-acceptance testing is preferable to testing after unloading at the plant, which risks contaminating an entire bulk tank; testing only after a consumer complaint is reactive and unreliable for ensuring safety and compliance; and testing never or rarely is unsafe and not in line with quality control practices.