Waste milk is fluid milk that's considered unsuitable for human consumption.
This typically refers to milk that cannot be sold or processed for human food products. There are several reasons why milk might be classified as "waste":
- Milk from Cows Treated with Antibiotics: Milk produced while a cow is being treated with antibiotics, or during a withdrawal period after treatment, cannot enter the human food supply.
- Milk from Cows with Mastitis: Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, often caused by infection. Milk from cows with mastitis can have a high somatic cell count (SCC), indicating infection, and may also have an altered composition or taste. This makes it unsuitable for sale.
- Colostrum and Transition Milk: Colostrum is the first milk produced after calving and is rich in antibodies and nutrients for the newborn calf. Transition milk is produced in the days following colostrum. While highly beneficial for calves, these types of milk are typically not processed for human consumption due to their unique composition.
- Milk with Abnormal Appearance or Odor: Milk that appears abnormal in color, consistency, or odor is deemed unusable.
- Milk Containing Disinfectants or Other Contaminants: Accidental contamination with cleaning agents or other substances can render milk unusable.
Waste milk is often fed to calves as a nutritious and cost-effective alternative to commercial milk replacers, provided it doesn't contain antibiotic residues. However, proper handling and pasteurization are essential when feeding waste milk to calves to minimize the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria.
