Hendricks Farms cleared in raw milk scare

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

For the last month or so, Hendricks Farms and Dairy has been in the middle of a health scare - on September 11, the farm’s license to sell raw milk was suspended after at least 10 people in Bucks and Montgomery counties and two from New York were infected with campylobacter.  The bacteria allegedly came from raw milk purchased at Hendricks Farms.  Happily, Pennsylvania reinstated their license on September 19 after state ag lab tests came back negative for the bacteria.

Trent Hendricks, owner of the farm, tests their products and equipment every week, and treats his cows very, very well.  The farm sells 600 gallons of raw milk each week, not to mention all their fantastic cheese made from the milk. 

The state jumped the gun in placing the blame on Hendricks Farm, and this could very well be part of the larger war against raw milk sales.  Several states around the country prohibit the sales of raw milk for human consumption, and Pennsylvania clearly has concerns about its safety.  This only illustrates how important it is to know and trust the person from which you’re purchasing raw milk - raw milk purchased from a reputable source is as safe as purchasing milk from the supermarket (more so, considering the lack of chemicals and added nutrients).