Ohio Department

Ohio Department of Agriculture
Dairy Division
8995 E. Main St
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Phone: (614) 466-5550
Sanitary inspections and sampling are at the heart of the Dairy Division's functions that lead to a safe and wholesome supply of dairy products produced and processed in Ohio. The Dairy Division has regulatory oversight relative to milk producers, milk haulers and dairy processors. The regulations governing the dairy industry in Ohio meet or exceed those outlined by the FDA and USDA. In doing so, producers, haulers and processors are able to enter into interstate commerce with a wide variety of dairy products.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Consumer Protection Laboratory is a key partner in being able to maintain FDA compliance by housing our Lab Evaluation Officer and performing mandatory evaluations for bacteria, coliform and antibiotics among other tests. The Lab Evaluation Officer is charged with educating and maintaining those drug residue testers at milk receiving locations across the state. On-site visits and split sample evaluations are conducted to assure dairy products available for all consumers.

Many good things are happening across Ohio relative to dairy. A couple of new plants have been attracted to the Buckeye state and will begin construction in the near future. Expansions continue at a number of exiting processing locations. On-farm processing and small artisan processors continue to grow in number. In addition, technology continues to be adapted within the Ohio's dairy industry. Evidence of this can be found in the proliferation of robotic milking machines. Ohio's dairy producers have quickly embraced robotics as there are presently over 40 installations with a number more on the drawing board.