Raw milk is banned in many areas and there has been a generous amount of media coverage dedicated to sharing stories about the dangers related to consuming this product. There are many who claim that drinking raw milk is too dangerous and because of the health risks that are associated, lawmakers in many areas have moved to put restrictions in place; trying to prevent people from having access to this product.
Many lawmakers, health officials, the CDC & FDA, dairy owners etc, have been pushing for stricter rules surrounding raw milk.
They continue to insist that the public should be afraid of raw milk because of the potential health risks that might come with consuming it. However, despite the continued warnings, there have been efforts in a variety of areas in the US to try and legalize the sale of unpasteurized and raw milk.
Many farmers and consumers are looking for the freedom to consume raw milk if they wish to, or to sell it to people who are looking to buy it; without the fear of being punished for doing so.
The interstate sale and distribution of raw unpasteurized milk was prohibited back in 87' by the FDA. However, the states have taken their own individual approach when it comes to setting up their own rules surrounding the exchange of this product.
Right now, about 30 different states in the US have legalized sales of raw milk. In some states you can purchase the milk directly from retail locations, but in other states consumers are required to participate in herd shares, other states require consumers to purchase the milk directly from the farmer. In some circumstances you can buy raw goat and sheep milk but not raw cows milk etc. The access to the product varies greatly; depending on the area.
As the trend to push for acceptance of raw milk has increased, so has the media coverage of the health risks and fears about consuming raw unpasteurized milk.
There are only a handful of states that still entirely prohibit unpasteurized raw milk sales. And in other areas the product is highly regulated. The regions that have a strict prohibition in place are areas like Iowa, Montana, Nevada, and Louisiana.
The areas that are more accepting of raw milk retail sales have been states like Idaho, Arizona, California, Washington, and Connecticut.
Sales Are Up
Regardless of the fear mongering over this product, consumers are still taking the risk and they are opting to drink it. Raw milk sales continue to grow and it's expected that the demand is only going to continue.
State health officials will continue to reiterate the warnings about the parasites, bacteria, and harmful viruses etc that could come along with drinking raw unpasteurized milk. But those who enjoy the product, who are convinced that they are reaping benefit from consuming it, are unlikely to pay any attention to the warning.
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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.
Sources:
http://healthier.stanfordchildrens.org/en/raw-milk-still-health-hazard-says-stanford-expert/
http://time.com/3627910/raw-milk-outbreaks/
https://www.today.com/health/raw-milk-fans-cheer-looser-state-laws-it-safe-t9086
http://www.bonappetit.com/story/raw-milk-obsession
https://www.farmtoconsumer.org/raw-milk-nation-interactive-map/
http://www.kshb.com/news/health/raw-milks-popularity-rises-despite-laws-against-its-sale
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/05/what-are-the-odds-840-times-more-likely-for-raw-milk-drinkers/#.WZ03AXQUmpo
http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/raw-milk-advocates-push-to-legalize-sales-across-u-s-1.3379980
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/30/raw-milk-health-superfood-safety-goop
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