MannaMilk owner John Albert Martin, 78, was charged under the Animal Products Act for failing to follow raw milk regulations, selling raw milk, and failing to comply with a notice of direction to cease processing and selling raw milk.

He pleaded guilty and was handed the fine in the Levin District Court yesterday.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said an operation was carried out in 2019 to ensure farmers were following regulations.

“Mr Martin attempted to avoid the regulations by distributing raw milk to customers through a separate legal entity and claiming it was not for sale.

“Our investigation found Mr Martin ignored a previous Notice of Direction to cease sales and continued to sell product illegally both through the legal entity and direct to customers.

“Mr Martin went to some lengths to avoid his responsibilities under the law. By contrast most raw milk producers follow the rules and find it easy to do so.”

Arbuckle hopes the sentence sends a strong message to all dairy farmers involved in raw milk production.

“Raw milk is inherently much more of a food safety risk than milk that has been pasteurised to kill potentially harmful bacteria.

“Producers owe it to their customers to follow the rules and take every required precaution to ensure the safety of their product. There is less risk of a person becoming ill from drinking raw milk products when they do.”

Raw milk producers must register with NZFS, meet hygiene requirements, test milk for pathogens, keep records of sales, and label appropriately so consumers were aware of the risks and could make informed decisions about consuming raw milk.

NZFS has further cases involving the illegal sales of raw milk that will be placed before the court, Vincent Arbuckle said.