Keeping New York's dairy supply safe in the summer season

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Dairy products are a big driver of the state's overall economy, contributing to the largest sector in New York's agriculture industry. "It is really important to us to make sure consumers are eating safe dairy product," Heather Torino, the Assistant Director for NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services, explained.

And with ice cream season in full swing with the summer heat, dairy safety is on the mind of food safety inspectors. Every year, they collect on average 15,000 dairy samples and analyze their chemical components down to the very last drop. From standard bacteria testing and checking whether products are properly pasteurized and free of antibiotics to checking the freezing point to make sure you're buying what is advertised on store shelves.

"I make sure that when you go to the market, your sour scream is sour scream and full fat milk is full fat," said one of the lab scientists while NEWS10 visited the lab.

Casey McCue, the Director of Milk Control and Dairy Services, added, "There are a lot of checks and balances."

Without the rigorous testing, dairy consumers run the risk of getting very ill. "Some of the really bad ones: listeria, salmonella," Torino listed.

No matter what form you enjoy it in -- a frozen dessert, a protein packed treat, or with your bowl of cereal -- milk is having a moment. McCue explained, "There is a renaissance right now of the milk industry, so people are trusting in dairy. They want that high quality dairy protein for the first time in a really long time. Fluid milk sales are on the rise."

Dairy also drives a large part of the state's economy no matter what time of the year it is on the calendar. "Whether it's the Super Bowl and the cheese market; whether it's summer and ice cream, we are a staple at dinner tables in some way, shape, or form and party gatherings across this globe."

Which is why New York's 3,000 farms and 250 processing facilities are crucial in maintaining an abundant dairy supply throughout the state.