“Explosive growth.” That’s how Washington state’s Agriculture Department describes what’s been happening in the raw-milk industry in the past 10 years. The numbers say it all. There were only six raw-milk dairies in the state
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Washington State Department of Agriculture
Learning to ‘Bridge the GAPs’ for Small and Mid-Sized Farms
Waging a successful battle against the foodborne pathogens that can sicken people — or even kill them — takes some creative strategizing on the part of small- and mid-size farms, primarily because they’re so …
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Washington Dairy Recalls Raw Milk and Cream After Positive Listeria Test
A raw milk dairy in Washington state has voluntarily recalled some of its raw milk and cream products after a recent routine test found Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in a sample of raw cream. Spanish Sonrise…
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Free Food-Safety Guide for Growers Available From WA State Ag Department
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is offering a free food-safety guide to assist growers with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs). The 204-page guide, entitled, “Bridging the GAPs FARM GUIDE…
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WA Revokes License of Slaughterhouse Following Health Violations
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has revoked the license of a slaughterhouse it says has repeatedly failed health inspections. Rickson Vilog, also known as Vilog LLC, of Auburn, WA, was notified of the…
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Washington State Food Processor's License Suspended
Ongoing sanitation problems and violations of food-processing standards, as well as a lack of cooperation from management, has led Washington State’s Department of Agriculture to suspend the license of a Western Washington food processor, according…
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Bridging the GAP: Bringing Big Food Safety Regulations to Small Farms
For large farming operations, food safety audits are commonplace. Many buyers require them before purchasing produce. However, small farms are rarely inspected by auditors, because the cost of implementing a safety plan can be too…
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