Fresh milk has returned to supermarket shelves after supplies dried up last month in the wake of a suspension notice to a dairy farm.

Retailers reported today that stocks were back to normal and customers were pleased to be able to purchase the blue-carton version once again.

A notice of temporary suspension was issued earlier to Green Land Farm by the Ministry of Health over the quality of milk produced at the farm’s facilities.

Today, a government spokeswoman said that ministry representatives then met with the farm’s owner to develop a plan aimed at maintaining and enhancing milk quality standards.

She added: “Green Land Dairy Farm has since been confirmed to be in full compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations.

“While it is never the ministry’s intention to disrupt the operations of small businesses, our foremost responsibility is to safeguard public health.

“The Ministry of Health will continue to work with the team at Green Land Dairy Farm to ensure continued compliance and help maintain reliable food safety standards.”

A spokeswoman for the Lindo’s group reported today that Dunkley’s fresh, full-fat milk was back in stock.

She said: “We are pleased to confirm that the supply of Dunkley’s ‘blue milk’ is back to normal and we expect it to remain so for the foreseeable future.”

A representative of the Garden Market on Serpentine Road in Pembroke, said: “The customers have been very happy and they are buying up the fresh milk ever since we got back supplies on Saturday.”

A representative for The MarketPlace said: “Fresh blue milk is back on our shelves and we thank Dunkley’s Dairy for their efforts to restore supply for Bermuda’s families.”

Meanwhile, a representative of Belvin’s Variety Store on Happy Valley Road, also in Pembroke, said the shop was expecting a delivery of fresh milk today.

“I heard supplies are going to be here so yes, we should have it in stock soon,” he added.

Over the weekend, Michael Dunkley, a former Premier and the president of Dunkley’s Dairy, told The Royal Gazette that the company was once again producing fresh milk.

Green Land Farm supplied the majority of fresh milk to the firm and Mr Dunkley said the company picked up supplies on Friday night.

The company purchases milk from farms and packages the commodity for resale.

In the past, the island has suffered milk shortages that were attributed to scorching temperatures throughout August, which left Bermuda’s dairy herds struggling to produce their regular yields of fresh milk.

The recent shortage prompted a retailer to issue a call for legislators to revisit laws regarding the importation of milk.

The Importation of Milk (Prohibition) Act 1997 forbids the importation of raw milk, pasteurised milk, ultra-pasteurised milk, ultra-heat-treated milk and manufactured milk.

However, if the relevant minister is satisfied that special circumstances warrant such action, by order they may authorise the importation into Bermuda of a dairy product, subject to such conditions as may be set out in the order.

Two weeks ago, the Gazette requested responses from the Government on the concerns expressed by the retailer about the legislation.

The retailer said last month that the legislation leaves residents with limited alternative choices to source the commodity, and that wholesalers have reported they can import long-lasting milk at low prices.

“Government must review the milk import ban so the public can get access to safer, more reliable, longer-lasting and more affordable fresh milk,” the retailer added.

The Gazette tried to contact Green Land Farm for comment but was unable to reach a representative.