Dairy cited by FDA for inappropriate drug use

January 2, 12:47 PMFood ExaminerEric Burkett

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A dairy cow is not a small animal.

A large New Mexico dairy operation recognized for its green business practices has been cited a third time for illegal use of various drugs in its dairy herds and for attempting to put drug-tainted meat out on the market.

The Food and Drug Administration announced today it had issued an order to Clovis, N.M., dairies Do-Rene and Clover Knolls and their owners, Douglas B. Handley and Irene Handley, to stop adulterating new animal drugs and offering animals with illegal levels of drug residue for slaughter.

The Handleys were cited by the FDA for essentially the same violations in 2003 and 2005. The most recent action was based on inspections of the dairies conducted over a week beginning June 24, 2008. The Handleys have been cited for “not keeping adequate medication records to prevent unsafe drug residues in cattle offered for slaughter” according to an FDA press release. They’ve also been accused of using animal medications inappropriately. In and of itself, that’s not illegal. With the guidance of a veterinarian, medications can be used in treatments for which they’re not specifically intended. The Handleys had no such veterinary guidance.

Back in 2003, when the dairies offered up dairy cattle for slaughter – a common method for utilizing old cows in the dairy industry – the FDA found illegal levels of flunixin, penicillin, neomycin and , most notably, sulfadimethoxine in 12 of the animals. Sold under the brand name “Albon”, sulfadimethoxine is used to kill intestinal parasites in small animals. It should not be used in lactating animals. Dairy cattle, lactating animals by definition, are also notably larger than the small animals for which the drug was intended. Potential side effects for Albon include kidney stones, skin rashes, and abnormal blood cells which could lead to immune dysfunction and excessive bleeding. Albon is not considered safe for pregnancy.

"These residues may cause allergic reactions in extremely sensitive individuals," according to the FDA,  "and they may contribute to forming antibiotic-resistance in bacteria".

Oh, and that award? Do-Rene Dairy was honored by the New Mexico Environment Department with a Zia Award for its commitment to green business practices in October of 2005. Green business principals apparently only apply to pollution of the environment, not the food supply.