Golden Dakota Farms – FDA Warning Letter, Jan 29, 2026

Golden Dakota Farms LLC, based in Elkton, South Dakota, received an FDA warning letter following an inspection conducted from January 26 to 29, 2026. The investigation revealed that the dairy operation violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by selling animals for human consumption that contained illegal drug residues. Specifically, two dairy cows were found to have levels of the antibiotic ampicillin significantly exceeding the legal limit. The FDA also identified significant failures in the farm"s management practices, including incomplete or missing medical treatment records and the unauthorized use of drugs. In one instance, a cow was overdosed with medication without the required supervision of a licensed veterinarian. These issues indicate that the animals were held under inadequate conditions, increasing the risk of harmful substances entering the food supply. While the farm owners proposed several corrective measures, such as implementing weight-based dosing and restricting who can administer medicine, the FDA determined their initial response was insufficient because it lacked supporting documentation. Golden Dakota Farms is required to submit a detailed written response within 15 working days outlining specific steps taken to prevent future violations. Failure to correct these issues may result in legal action, including product seizures or court-ordered injunctions.