loss of OTF status in a dairy herd
Following recent incidents where milk from TB reactor animals
has entered the food chain, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has
written to local authorities to remind them of the requirements
under EC Hygiene Regulations relating to the loss of officially
tuberculosis free (OTF) status in a dairy herd.
Milk from individual reactor animals within the affected herd
cannot be used for human consumption under any circumstances. OTF
status is lost from the date that a positive reactor animal in the
herd is detected. If it is discovered that milk from the reactor
animals has entered the food chain then this should be reported as
an incident to the FSA.
Milk from non reactor animals in the herd can enter the food
chain provided that it is subject to heat treatment. The FSA
advises that once OFT status is lost, the local authority should
liaise with the farmer to establish where the milk from the
affected herd is being sent and then contact the first buyer(s) of
the milk to ensure that they are aware that all the milk from the
affected herd, and any milk with which it may be mixed, should
receive adequate heat treatment before consumption or use for milk
based products
If milk has been used to make unpasteurised products prior to
loss of status then a risk assessment needs to be carried out to
determine whether the products can be considered safe for human
consumption. The Hygiene Regulations do not prohibit the marketing
of products made before the removal of OTF status. Any agreement to
stop selling such products must therefore be on a voluntary basis.
Failing voluntary agreement, any enforcement action would have to
be on the basis of evidence that the products failed to comply with
EU food safety requirements.
