Straight from the cow: Demand for raw milk on the rise
When people who want to drink raw milk live in a state where it's illegal, they often get around the law by buying a share of a cow. In many states, it's only legal to drink unpasteurized cow's milk if you own the animal, so by buying a share in a cow, they're allowed to drink its milk. Even in states where selling and drinking raw milk is legal, the USDA and FDA are watching with concern. Demand for raw milk is on the rise, and they're worried that the milk will cause an outbreak of salmonella, listeria, or E. coli. Though no one tracks the sale of raw milk officially, dairy farmers say they're seeing more customers than ever.
The health benefits and dangers of raw milk are long debated. Some say that pasteurizing raw milk removes essential nutrients and makes the drink, essentially, junk food. Others -- the FDA included -- say that pasteurized milk is perfectly healthy and that drinking raw milk is putting your health at risk. What do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-14-2008 @ 1:49PM
Heather said...
I think it needs to be legalized. In GA, it's only allowed for pet consumption (please) and or if you buy a cow or goat share. There was talk of farmers having to add a dye to it to make it distinct- but I think the raw milkers warded that off. It's all political anyways.
If I could have my own goat or cow, I would. I don't think the Homeowner's assoc. will approve. :)
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4-14-2008 @ 2:32PM
Emma Leigh said...
If they are going to allow "raw" milk sales they are going to have to do something about the hygiene of the producing animals. Generally the teets are just lightly rinsed off before being attached to the milking machine. I wouldn't want to risk e-coli from the cow poop residue left on the udders, myself.
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4-14-2008 @ 10:08PM
marcie0305 said...
Pasteurization is important given current dairy practices, which are not always very sanitary and really cannot be - given the close proximity and sheer number of cows in any given operation. Couple that with the fact that the milk travels a lot to get to you and sits on a store shelf for awhile to boot.
That said, it's just like most other foods in Western culture - processed. The raw stuff is absolutely better for you *and* the environment. Just like produce, it loses a ton of important nutrients in transit and in practice.
I don't like the way cows and pigs are treated nor the way their meat and milk is processed. Whenever you can, buy locally from a farm that does things the way mother nature intended, for the better of your health, the health of the animal, and the planet.
:)
~Marcie
http://feedingblackmail.blogspot.com/
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4-15-2008 @ 1:32AM
Dingler said...
Those of us who drink raw milk are very aware of where our milk comes from. In South Carolina raw milk is available from the farm and recent changes in the law allow it for sale anywhere as long as it is labeled according to the state's guidelines. It has to be labeled with something like that on cigarettes warning or risk of death. Producers are licensed by DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control) with strict guidelines. It takes two years to get licensed. Milk is tested, I think, monthly. I know the cows that produce my milk and the people who bottle it. The sanitation associated is impeccable. The teats are cleaned and washed with a Betadine solution (like if you're having surgery). I would not drink raw milk from a commercial dairy. Anyone who would is crazy.
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4-21-2008 @ 8:54AM
rrr said...
Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there was no pasturizing...the only option was raw milk....and people drank it and they were fine. Nowadays, it's illegal.
This country never ceases to amaze me.
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