MARCELLUS, Mich. —
Officials went to Nourish Cooperative in Marcellus for an inspection to approve a request for an animal feed license, but their attention was captured by something else.
During the inspection, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) found Nourish Cooperative in violation of “numerous Michigan statutes and associated regulations," including a large amount of raw dairy products.
That product was thrown away because, with limited exception, raw dairy products cannot be sold in Michigan.
Nourish co-founder Sarah Armstrong said they were previously given the okay by MDARD to have the products, but some labels needed updating. After the visit, though, they said all products needed to be disposed of.
"We asked, you know, 'can we use these products for personal use? Can you give them the pets?' And the answer was no to all of that," she said. "They they had to be destroyed, which means the caps had to come off. And the products had to be dumped into the dumpster."
Nourish Cooperative had to dispose of products like raw milk, butter and yogurt.
“When [the products are] placed under seizure, you are not allowed to use them. You can't move them, like they're all accounted for," Armstrong said.
MDARD said it is working with Nourish to get them properly licensed to sell various human and animal foods and is “committed to working alongside Nourish as they work to come into compliance with all regulatory requirements.”
Armstrong said they're asking MDARD to reconsider.
“Whether it's just raw dairy for your pets or whatever, you know you want to use it for, I think that we all have the right to decide... how we nourish our bodies and it is a little disturbing to know that it can be taken away," she said.
In their statement, MDARD said it is “committed to the growth and success of Michigan agricultural businesses, and to ensuring food and feed products are safe and wholesome.”
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