Francis H. Roderick of Old Carolina Farm is prohibited from selling animals for human consumption until record-keeping systems are in place to keep that from happening.

"We want to make sure the situation doesn't occur in the future,"said Roderick's lawyer, Chad W. Weddle, on Thursday.

In the past, Old Carolina Farm had sold dairy cows and bob veal calves for slaughter that contained illegal residue of new animal drugs, according to the FDA.

The presence of drug residue above tolerance levels for human food poses health risks to the public, according to court documents.

Consumers sensitive to antibiotics may experience severe allergic reactions from eating food containing antibiotics above approved tolerance levels, documents state.

During FDA inspections of Old Carolina Farm in October 2007 and May 2009, the defendants admitted they had sold animals for slaughter before drug withdrawal times had expired. They admitted they did not keep animal medical treatment or drug inventory records at the farm in the 10800 block of Cook Brothers Road.

Despite past warnings, the farm did not come into compliance.

But Old Carolina Farm has since taken steps to comply with all laws, prompting Judge Marvin J. Garbis to enter into a consent decree Monday during a five-minute hearing in Baltimore, Weddle said.

The ruling was filed Wednesday, court documents show.

Under the terms of the decree, Old Carolina Farm must provide buyers with statements about the animals' drug treatment status at the time of sale.

The FDA may shut down operations if the farm does not comply with laws.

"If there are no further violations, the case will be over with," Weddle said.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.