Before the milk is delivered to the
processing plant, the milk truck driver takes a sample of the milk to test for impurities, such as animal drug residues, that would compromise quality. If
antibiotic residue is detected, the entire tank of milk is immediately discarded, never to reach America’s families. The farmer responsible for the impure milk may have to pay the cost of the entire truckload of milk, so each farmer’s incentive to maintain milk quality is high.
Government data indicates that less than one tanker in 3,000 tests positive for animal drug residues, a sign that the deterrent system is working.