A grocery business in Minneapolis has been shut down by authorities over health concerns related to their raw milk sales. The grocery venue, Uptown Locavore, is a $50-per-year, members-only grocery retailer and they sell a variety of items that mostly come from small organic farms.

On their website they highlight that they seek to provide items that are organic and sourced locally whenever possible, grass-fed, non-GMO, free-range meat, poultry, fish and more.

Health authorities in the region are concerned about the raw dairy products that are being sold there, and have some concerns for their beef products that might not have been inspected to their standards.

According to health inspectors, they say that the business isn't allowed to sell the raw dairy products that they've been selling. They want to make the decision of the consumer for them, essentially taking away their freedom to make the choice to purchase raw milk products from this members-only establishment if they want to.

If someone is interested in purchasing raw dairy products in Minnesota, state authorities want them to purchase those products directly from the farmer. And since the owner of the shop, Uptown Locavore, allegedly hasn't been purchasing the products in this manner, they've taken to shutting down the business.

The store has allegedly responded to the incident, insisting that they haven't done anything wrong and they don't intend to engage in any wrongdoing. They assert that it's a private buying club--where nothing is for sale to the open public--and that those who sign-up for the membership are fully aware of what they are buying.

Health inspectors still maintain that the private buyer's club business model is in violation of the rules the law.

If the owner doesn't cooperate in handing over the dairy products and fish, meat etc, then authorities say that they'll get a warrant and come confiscate it that way. They've already allegedly locked down some of his products in the store so that they cannot be sold.

On the contract...

that every member must sign prior to joining with their club and making any purchases, they acknowledge the risks that they might encounter by visiting and entering the venue. Members agree by signing to voluntarily assume any and all risk that might come as a result of their choice to enter the business.

This includes any harm that might come to them from consuming raw dairy products or other food that they purchased from the club.

If people have voluntarily made this agreement with the business owner, knowing that there are risks and deciding to go forward anyways, isn't it a violation of their freedom to come in and try to stop the exchange? Does taking the time to violate someone's natural right to peacefully exchange with another person truly promote their well-being and safety ?

The owner of the private buying club has said that he has never had any complaint related to his food products that are being sold there. Though, despite the seemingly peaceful nature of the operation, the investigation is allegedly still ongoing over this matter, with the food items being currently held under a health embargo.

Pics:
Pixabay

Sources:
http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/minneapolis-cracks-down-on-members-only-uptown-grocer-run-out-of-this-house-on-hennepin/482412011
http://www.startribune.com/inspectors-shut-down-uptown-dealer-of-raw-milk/482408841/
https://www.uptownlocavore.com
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/016049_4d0d5f354b9a46f8849be266467aaf45.pdf
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/05/11/minneapolis-shuts-down-indoor-food-market

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