At the moment, raw milk is only legal in a handful of states, while many other areas still choose to prohibit the sale of milk if it hasn't undergone any pasteurization. Despite the warnings from health officials for raw milk, many people are adamant in their support of it and they still greatly value the product.
Just recently, the Montana House of Reps went ahead and approved of a bill that would allow for the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk in the state. House Bill 325 received a final vote of 69-30 and it is now going to head to the Montana Senate to be considered.
The bill was passed with the support of 13 democrats and 56 republicans, with 1 absent.
If passed, the new rules would allow for direct-to-consumer sales of raw, unpasteurized milk. It would also cover milk coming from either cows, goats, or sheep. Meanwhile, many health agencies and officials still warn that the only safe way to consume milk is by pasteurizing it.
Despite the overwhelming criticism for this product and the many who remain standing firmly against it, there are many others who support it. And there are a few states who have passed laws that allow for in-state sales of raw milk, states like California, Arizona, New Mexico, South Carolina, New Hampshire, and others.
Past research suggests that there are multiple benefits to be had from consuming raw milk, such as suggestions that it could help in protect infants from respiratory problems, or might be able to help with allergies or lactose intolerance. Still, a number of health officials will tell you those claims are hog wash. And peer-reviewed studies have also reiterated the notion that there aren't any health benefits to be had from drinking raw milk.
Critics have gone so far as to call any claims about the benefits of raw milk, nothing more than an unsubstantiated myth.
But there are still plenty of folks out there who love their raw milk and stand by the belief that it's a superior product for them than the common milk products out there today which are pasteurized.
When it comes to how you can buy the raw milk in the states, each area is different. For example, in California and Utah, you can purchase it from a retail store. But in areas like Nebraska and Kansas, you will have to go directly to the farm if you want to buy it. In Colorado, consumers take part in cow-sharing, where they enter a contract with the farmer which includes buying a share of a cow in exchange for raw milk from the farmer.
Despite the illegality surrounding the product, a number of farmers continue to sell to seemingly increasing numbers of customers, as raw milk popularity continues to grow. Aside from these efforts in Montana, lawmakers in North Dakota are also looking to make changes. And who knows who might be next.
Pics:
Pixabay
Source:
https://legiscan.com/MT/text/HB325/2017
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/02/20/387558373/why-some-states-want-to-legalize-raw-milk-sales
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/02/montana-house-oks-some-raw-milk-sales-sends-bill-to-senate/#.WLKaRXS7qpo
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/02/illinois-new-raw-milk-rules-get-first-legislative-tests/
http://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2814%2901274-3/abstract
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/01/nd-bill-would-allow-raw-milk-sales-despite-inherent-risks/#.WLKizXS7qpo
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/08/study-no-reliable-scientific-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-raw-milk/#.WLKgFXS7qpo
http://milk.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=005192
The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.
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