Raw Milk sales gaining the attention of state lawmakers Image By HPN Staff Key Points House Bill 406, introduced by Reps. Kellie Deeter and Levi Dean, proposes allowing raw milk sales if consumers sign liability waivers and sellers conduct monthly pathogen testing. Supporters argue demand is rising and regulation would make current practices safer, while health officials cite risks, with NIH linking raw milk to most dairy-related outbreaks and the CDC warning of Salmonella and bird flu risks. While federal law bans interstate sales, many states regulate raw milk differently. Recent actions in Arkansas and North Carolina highlight the growing political and consumer push to expand access despite safety concerns. Ohio State Representatives Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk) and Levi Dean (R-Xenia) have introduced a bill to allow for the sale of raw milk to consumers in the state, subject to certain health-related regulations. Current state law prohibits such sales of raw milk — defined as unpasteurized milk from a cow, goat or sheep — for human consumption unless the seller has been continuously doing so since 1965. Consumers can also access raw milk by purchasing a share of a dairy cow or herd, a practice known as “herdsharing”. Raw milk is permitted for consumption by pets. House Bill 406, as introduced, would require consumers to sign a liability waiver, to be provided by the seller of raw milk, acknowledging the health risks associated with the consumption of raw milk. It would also require monthly testing of raw milk for a variety of pathogens, including E. coli and those causing listeria and salmonella. The bill was referred to the House Agriculture Committee. Deeter told a Columbus NBC affiliate that there is a growing demand for raw milk, and that since it is being accessed via herdshare agreements, “the goal with this bill is to legalize and regulate a narrow path for what is currently being done, but in a way that is healthier for the public.” Why It Matters Raw, unpasteurized milk has attracted a small number of devotees for several decades, but its popularity is seeing an uptick since the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, who is seen as a supporter of raw milk. Proponents tout several perceived health benefits, including reduced allergic reactions and improved immunity, and criticize the pasteurization process for allegedly removing beneficial elements from milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, has disputed these claims, and both federal regulators and the medical industry have warned against the public health risks of raw milk. A 2017 study by the National Institute for Health (NIH) determined that “Unpasteurized dairy products are responsible for almost all of the 761 illnesses and 22 hospitalizations in the United States that occur annually because of dairy-related outbreaks”. A recent outbreak of Salmonella in California, which allows raw milk sales to consumers, was linked to raw milk in that state. The CDC has also recently reported on the increased risk of Bird flu from raw milk. Further Context Federal law prohibits the sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption across state lines; however, individual states can choose to regulate within their borders. Most states now allow raw milk sales in one form or another, with some states allowing it only through herdshares, others permitting only on-farm sales, and some allowing full retail sale. Earlier this year, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill allowing the off-farm sale of raw milk. In North Carolina, the state legislature amended a larger farm bill that would have banned the sale of unpasteurized milk, after hearing from thousands of raw milk advocates. The bill was amended to allow the sale of raw milk via herdshares and remains in committee. SUGGESTED STORIES Children’s hospital caught in North Carolina budget battle as lawmakers seek to close funding gaps North Carolina lawmakers remain deadlocked on the state budget, with Medicaid funding and support for a new children’s hospital at the center of the standoff between the two chambers. The House has proposed $500 million for Medicaid, while the Senate has pitched $64 Read more Non-opioid pain treatment alternatives gaining public and private traction In the fight to end the nation’s opioid epidemic, researchers and investors in the pain-management field are making headway in developing alternative options for treating pain. Lawmakers and health-related federal agencies are taking note. Rapid advances in technology – including A Read more Lawmakers debate Daylight Saving Time once again It’s something many dread – seasonal time change, going from Daylight Saving Time to standard time – and a recent report shows it causes more than fatigue and schedule disruptions. “Spring forward” and “fall back” could be detrimental to health. Researchers studied medical data from Read more
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