The two organizations representing America’s dairy farmers and dairy foods companies jointly announced their opposition to a proposal in the Senate that would allow the interstate sales of raw milk.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill, No. 2180, that would allow the direct sale of raw milk and raw milk products across state lines, “greatly enhancing the chances that people will become sick because of increased consumption of unpasteurized milk,” the two groups said in a letter sent to members of the Senate.
“Pasteurization is one of the greatest public health tools. To compromise or reduce its use through this legislation is not just bad politics – it’s a huge, inhumane step backwards, and one that will cause sickness and death,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF.
Federal law currently prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk, but allows states individual discretion to regulate raw milk sales within their borders. Several states in recent years have liberalized sale or distribution of raw milk, even as the product has been repeatedly linked to serious illnesses from coast to coast.
“The link between raw milk and foodborne illness has been well-documented in the scientific literature, with evidence spanning nearly 100 years, said Connie Tipton, President and CEO of IDFA. “Raw milk is a key vehicle in the transmission of human pathogens, which is why its consumption has been opposed by every major health organization in the United States, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.”
Kozak said that lawmakers have to keep in mind that “nearly two-thirds of all outbreaks associated with raw milk or raw milk products involve children. It is the responsibility of our nation’s leaders to make decisions to protect the health of the American public, most especially, those who are minors and are unable to make fully informed decisions that could have profound consequences for the rest of their lives,” he said.
Tipton said that “While consumer choice is an important value, it should not pre-empt public health and well-being. Legalizing the sale of raw milk and raw milk products to consumers, either through direct sale or through cow-share programs, represents an unnecessary risk to consumer safety. Therefore, we ask that you oppose Amendment No. 2180.”
Source: National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)
6 Comments on “NMPF and IDFA Oppose Raw Milk Amendment”
The reason way these organization oppose allowing raw milk across state line is to protect their monopoly milk business. So they can have all milk processed through their companies. Dairy farmer do not care about this law this law it is only for the dairy processor. How in world if we are supposed to be a free country do we allow our government and the corporation they support take away our liberties. This law is all about control.
There are many more foods more dangerous that raw milk as the CDC data can prove but there are no restriction this food items.
If people would study the benefits of raw milk they would throw their pasteurized junk in the garbage.
Liberty for all even raw milk drinkers
The reason way these organization oppose allowing raw milk across state line is to protect their monopoly milk business. So they can have all milk processed through their companies. Dairy farmer do not care about this law this law it is only for the dairy processor. How in world if we are supposed to be a free country do we allow our government and the corporation they support take away our liberties. This law is all about control.
There are many more foods more dangerous that raw milk as the CDC data can prove but there are no restriction this food items.
If people would study the benefits of raw milk they would throw their pasteurized junk in the garbage.
Liberty for all even raw milk drinkers
The reason way these organization oppose allowing raw milk across state line is to protect their monopoly milk business. So they can have all milk processed through their companies. Dairy farmer do not care about this law this law it is only for the dairy processor. How in world if we are supposed to be a free country do we allow our government and the corporation they support take away our liberties. This law is all about control.
There are many more foods more dangerous that raw milk as the CDC data can prove but there are no restriction this food items.
If people would study the benefits of raw milk they would throw their pasteurized junk in the garbage.
Liberty for all even raw milk drinkers
Baum, I think the reason these organizations oppose the sale of raw milk might be because raw milk can make you very sick. They don’t like the negative PR associated with their products that are pasteurized. The law is about food safety and public health. There is a point at which we should not allow foods to be sold that can cause sever sickness, especially in children who have no say from fanatic parents.
There are no benefits to raw milk, that is a myth contrived by greedy uncaring dairy farmers trying to make a fast buck at the expense of unaware consumers.
If you want to drink raw milk you have a choice, go buy a cow, camel, yak, goat, hamster whatever and milk her yourself.
Baum, I think the reason these organizations oppose the sale of raw milk might be because raw milk can make you very sick. They don’t like the negative PR associated with their products that are pasteurized. The law is about food safety and public health. There is a point at which we should not allow foods to be sold that can cause sever sickness, especially in children who have no say from fanatic parents.
There are no benefits to raw milk, that is a myth contrived by greedy uncaring dairy farmers trying to make a fast buck at the expense of unaware consumers.
If you want to drink raw milk you have a choice, go buy a cow, camel, yak, goat, hamster whatever and milk her yourself.
Baum, I think the reason these organizations oppose the sale of raw milk might be because raw milk can make you very sick. They don’t like the negative PR associated with their products that are pasteurized. The law is about food safety and public health. There is a point at which we should not allow foods to be sold that can cause sever sickness, especially in children who have no say from fanatic parents.
There are no benefits to raw milk, that is a myth contrived by greedy uncaring dairy farmers trying to make a fast buck at the expense of unaware consumers.
If you want to drink raw milk you have a choice, go buy a cow, camel, yak, goat, hamster whatever and milk her yourself.