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Contact Arizona Milk Producers and Dairy Council® of Arizona

The Experts

Ask a Dairy Farmer: Questions about cows, farming or dairy? Many of our milk producers are 4th generation family farmers, making them experts in their field!

*For quote requests on ordering bulk dairy products please visit the United Dairymen of Arizona co-op website.

Ask an RD: With advanced degrees, decades of experience and knowledge of the latest science-based research, our registered dietitians are your expert source for nutrition.

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Contact Us

Arizona Milk Producers
233 E. Southern Ave. #27147
Tempe, AZ 85285

(480)656-7163

connect@azmilk.org

FAQ’s

Check out what other people are curious about

How long can you keep milk after the “sell by” date?

If properly cared for, milk generally stays fresh for 2 to 3 days after the “sell by” date. Learn tips on preserving the safety and quality of milk.

How and why is milk pasteurized?

All milk intended for direct consumption should be pasteurized – it’s a matter of food safety. Pasteurization is a simple, effective method to kill potentially harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk. With standard pasteurization, milk is heated to a temperature of at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than 15 seconds, followed by rapid cooling. Learn more on how and why milk is pasteurized.

What can I do at home to help protect my family from food borne illness?

Individuals and their actions at home play an important role in food safety. To help prevent foodborne illness, food safety experts recommend the following four simple steps:

  • CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often with hot, soapy water.
  • SEPARATE: Don’t cross-contaminate. Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
  • COOK: Cook to proper temperatures; don’t rely on color alone. Remember to use a food thermometer to check if food is done. Thorough cooking is the most important step in preventing foodborne illness.
  • CHILL: Refrigerate promptly. Growth of harmful bacteria can be slowed or stopped by refrigeration or freezing. The refrigerator temperature should be kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezer should remain under zero degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
Are all dairy foods antibiotic-free?

Yes. In fact, numerous safety measures are in place to help ensure that antibiotics don’t enter the milk supply. For example, a sick cow that is being treated with antibiotics is taken from the milking herd, treated and not put back into the herd until her milk tests free of antibiotics. Additionally, every tank load of milk is strictly tested for antibiotics. Any tanker that tests positive is disposed of immediately, never reaching the public. For more information on milk safety regulations and procedures, see Milk and Antibiotics: What You Need to Know.

What can you tell me about the rbST hormone and milk?

All milk, including human breast milk, contains hormones that are digested just as other proteins are digested. While some cows are treated with hormones that are produced by biotechnology, known as recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), studies show there is no significant difference between milk from cows that receive hormones and cows that don’t.

The safety of milk from cows treated with rbST has been affirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization (WHO), American Medical Association (AMA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and regulatory agencies in 30 countries.

Is organic milk better for you than regular milk?

It’s great to have choices in the marketplace. For cow’s milk, all varieties contain 13 essential nutrients. Organic and grass-fed milk have slightly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional milk due to what the cow eats.
However, the amount of increase is not enough to produce a meaningful nutritional benefit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees national standards that food labeled “organic” must meet. According to USDA, organic food is not safer or more nutritious than conventionally-produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally-produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. For more information on organic foods, refer to the USDA’s Certified Organic Program or American Council on Science and Health.

For more information on organic foods, refer to the USDA’s Certified Organic Program or American Council on Science and Health.

Who should I contact if I have questions about food safety?

You can “ask USDA,” the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service virtual representative. This virtual representative is ready to answer questions from the public on a variety of food safety topics. You also can refer to the government website www.foodsafety.gov.

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