A Bungonia woman has been heavily fined over the sale of unpasteurised or ‘raw’ milk after some of it tested positive to a dangerous bacteria, listeria.
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Julia Ruth McKay, 65 was fined $28,000 in Goulburn Local Court on June 8 under section 104 of the Food Act 2003 for selling milk that was unpasteurised, in contravention of Food Regulation 2010, and for conducting a food business without a licence as required by the Regulation.
She also pleaded guilty to two charges under section 21 of the Act for selling unpasteurised milk that exceeded acceptable limits for listeria.
The NSW Food Authority tended facts to the court stating that McKay had been running a dairy farm from a property in Bungonia, which sold unpasteurised milk through a ‘herd share’ arrangement, from December 1, 2013 until a prohibition order was issued by the NSW Food Authority on October 15, 2015.
The facts said participants in the herdshare scheme (about 40 people) paid McKay an initial investment of $200 for five years and $20 a week in return for a guaranteed eight litres of unpasteurised milk. The milk was delivered to Canberra and Sydney.
The facts stated McKay ran a Facebook page to communicate with members of the herd share. The profile image on the page contained the phrase: “Own the cow, drink the milk.”
The facts stated that McKay received $38,444 in payments from herd share participants during the charge period. McKay was also ordered to pay professional costs of $25,000.
In relation to the case, NSW Food Authority chief executive Lisa Szabo said listeria was a particularly dangerous pathogen and could be fatal.
“It is of particular concern to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and their unborn babies, children, those over 70 and people who are already immuno-compromised. This is why we undertake this action, to protect people," Dr Szabo said.
"The sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal in Australia. Milk for sale in NSW needs to be licensed with the NSW Food Authority to ensure it is subject to the stringent safety requirements of the Dairy Food Safety Scheme. Dr Szabo said unpasteurised milk could contain harmful bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria that can result in illness or even death. Those aware of raw milk being sold should contact 1300 552 406.
