A Massachusetts dairy company has agreed with a court order to stop operations in order to prevent illegal drugs from entering animals sold for food. US District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of FDA issued the consent decree against Michael P. Ferry Inc. last week after FDA documented multiple violations of federal food laws.

According to FDA, testing conducted after inspections of the company’s dairy operations last year revealed illegal levels of drug residues in animals the company sold as food. FDA found the drugs were administered contrary to labeled directions and without a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

“When a company refuses to comply with food safety laws and regulations, the FDA must take legal action to protect public health,” said Daniel McChesney, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine’s Office of Surveillance and Compliance at the FDA. “We recognize that Michael P. Ferry Inc.’s agreement to this consent decree is the right first step, and we will continue to monitor the dairy to confirm that the terms of the agreement are met.”

 The company is prohibited from selling animals for human consumption until FDA finds it in compliance with the requirements of the consent decree.