Cass County Farm Faces $90,000 Loss as State Enforces Dairy Disposal
Source: The DairyNews
Cass County's Nourish Cooperative has been forced to dispose of an estimated $90,000 worth of raw dairy products after violating Michigan state laws, gaining widespread attention after a video of the milk disposal went viral online.
The raw dairy products were intended for pet food, but the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) deemed the products non-compliant with state regulations.
The issue began when Nourish submitted their pet food license in March, accompanied by a $100 fee which was processed. However, complications arose when MDARD conducted inspections and found labeling issues concerning serving sizes and crude protein content. Despite Nourish's attempts to rectify these issues, MDARD mandated the disposal of all raw dairy pet products on their third inspection visit, citing a misalignment with state guidelines regarding the sale of such products.
Manager and Co-Founder Ashley Armstrong expressed confusion and frustration, noting the availability of similar products statewide and questioning the stringent enforcement on Nourish's operations. The repeated disposals have not only resulted in significant financial losses but also logistical challenges, as the cooperative has had to find additional storage solutions for other perishable products.
MDARD, in a statement, emphasized their commitment to the safety and regulatory compliance of Michigan's food and feed supply, indicating ongoing discussions with Nourish to resolve these compliance issues.
The issue began when Nourish submitted their pet food license in March, accompanied by a $100 fee which was processed. However, complications arose when MDARD conducted inspections and found labeling issues concerning serving sizes and crude protein content. Despite Nourish's attempts to rectify these issues, MDARD mandated the disposal of all raw dairy pet products on their third inspection visit, citing a misalignment with state guidelines regarding the sale of such products.
Manager and Co-Founder Ashley Armstrong expressed confusion and frustration, noting the availability of similar products statewide and questioning the stringent enforcement on Nourish's operations. The repeated disposals have not only resulted in significant financial losses but also logistical challenges, as the cooperative has had to find additional storage solutions for other perishable products.
MDARD, in a statement, emphasized their commitment to the safety and regulatory compliance of Michigan's food and feed supply, indicating ongoing discussions with Nourish to resolve these compliance issues.
