Raw milk
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized before consumption. The taste and digestibility are different, but there is no consensus as to whether it is healthier than processed milk.
Contents |
[edit] Debate in the United States
In the United States laws regarding raw milk vary by state. Supporters of raw milk claim, including the Real Milk Campaign, that it has benefits for the consumer, the farmer, the cows, and the environment[citation needed]. Critics of raw milk, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the group Public Citizen, cite the dangers of pathogens and dispute the health claims. Despite the restrictions and conditions imposed on producers of raw milk, the FDA states "raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe."[citation needed]
[edit] Homogenization
Most of the raw milk debate traditionally has focused on pasteurization. Historically, most producers have not homogenized their milk because of the large investment in the required equipment, because homogenization affects the flavor of milk, and for marketing reasons: milk with the cream floating on the top seems more natural. In recent years, however, there has been increased attention placed on the health significance of homogenization, for exanple Dr. Kurt A. Oster's studies from the 1960s to the 1980s suggest that homogenized milk is a major factor in plaque formation, causing heart disease.
[edit] Legal status
[edit] In the United States
Most states in the United States impose far more restrictions on raw milk suppliers than on the suppliers of pasteurized, homogenized milk. Of the 50 states, 46 have passed the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance proposed by the United States Public Health Service in 1924 - every state but Pennsylvania, California, New York, and Maryland.
That does not mean raw milk is unavailable in the other 46 states. In Indiana, for instance, it is illegal for a dairy to sell raw milk, but consumers are able to lease part of a cow (a "cow share") or part of a heard (a "herd share") and obtain raw milk that way.
In Ohio, state law prohibits dairies from selling raw milk unless they had continuously offered it since before 1965. Raw milk was available until 2003, when the state pressured Young's Jersey Farm in Yellow Springs, Ohio into voluntarily giving up their raw milk license, by threatening them with loss of their pasteurized milk license as well. The state was experiencing an outbreak of salmonella which affected some employees at Young's, but which was not traced to Young's products. Young's not only offered raw whole milk, but skim milk, cream, butter, and ice cream made from their own raw milk.
Raw milk may be purchased from the farm in 28 states, under varying restrictions. In California, Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico and South Carolina, it may be purchased in stores. In every state but Michigan, raw milk may be purchased "for animal consumption."
In Pennsylvania, it is easy for dairies to begin selling raw milk on the farm. The state requires frequent inspections and lab testing of raw milk producers, and while many farmers begin selling raw milk, many soon abandon it, finding the cost and effort of handling the milk properly and keeping the herd healthy unacceptable.
All 50 states permet the sale of raw milk cheeses that are aged for at least 60 days.
[edit] In Canada
The sale of raw milk directly to consumers is prohibited in Canada. [1]. However, like the United States, Canada permits the sale of raw milk cheeses that are aged for at least 60 days.
[edit] Related pages
Some raw food diets include raw milk.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- "Tuberculosis cases Prompt Warning on Raw-Milk Cheese" by Marc Santora, "The New York Times", March 16, 2005, retrieved June 5, 2006
- "Statement from Health Canada about Drinking Raw Milk", Health Canada web site, retrieved June 5, 2006
- "Code of Federal Regulations: 21 CFR 133 Cheeses and Related Cheese Products", United States Food and Drug Administration web site, April 1, 2003, retrieved June 5, 2006
