Massachusetts raw milk dairy suspends production for antibiotic traces

Nick Hoffman and family practice Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) at Hoffman Farm in Franklin, MA, offer fresh vegetables, eggs and raw milk to shareholders who pay $615 every week.But earlier this month, Hoffman Farm ran into a snag in its bucolic business plan. Raw milk sold by Hoffman tested positive for traces of antibiotics.The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) does not tolerate any amount of antibiotics in milk, not even a smidgen. The trace amount found in Hoffman’s milk was likely because the farmer treated an infected cow with medication.Hoffman is an experienced farmer. He started in 2003, farming for a decade in New Braintree, MA, where he grew hay and vegetables and milked 40 goats. He sold fresh produce to local restaurants.Today, Hoffman holds a Certificate of Registration from MDAR that permits the farm to sell raw or unpasteurized milk legally. MDAR has not received any reports of anyone becoming ill or experiencing an adverse incident.However, Hoffman Farm has recalled its raw milk for antibiotic contamination and suspended production.