Do dairy farmers use antibiotics and do they end up in milk?

Last updated 17/01/2024

Australia has strict food safety regulations. While dairy farmers may need to use antibiotics if their cows are unwell, this milk is discarded and does not end up on supermarket shelves.

Australia has a very strong system to prevent any unacceptable residues of antibiotics in dairy foods. This includes regulations, farmer education, auditing, testing and retesting for antibiotics all to ensure that dairy products are safe to eat.

Farmers work hard to keep their cows healthy, reducing the need to treat their cows with antibiotics. When cows do get sick, it is important that they receive the appropriate veterinary treatment, which may require antibiotics.

Antibiotics are regulated, and can only be prescribed by a vet. Farmers use antibiotics under veterinary direction if a cow is unwell and the illness is suspected to be caused by a bacterial infection. The milk from the treated cows is discarded until the antibiotics have cleared from their system, and the cow is healthy again.

Dairy farmers are regularly audited to ensure that the milk they produce is safe, which includes checking that veterinary treatment records are kept and antibiotic use protocols are in place.

Milk from a treated cow is separated from the general milk production. If milk from a treated cow accidentally gets mixed into the main milk collection vat on farm, farmers are required to inform the company who buys their milk so the antibiotics do not contaminate other milk.

All milk leaving farm is tested for the presence of antibiotics, and is discarded if unacceptable residues are detected. The milk is also tested again at the factory before processing, and some companies also test some of their products, such as milk or cheese, for residues as well.