Dive Brief:
- Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has rejected language to expand the availability of raw milk and sent the proposal back to legislators as an amendment, asking for strict regulations from the state's Department of Health with a targeted effective date of July 1, 2020.
- According to Food Safety News, the raw milk-related section was tacked on to House Bill 4835, an environmental bond bill, and would have allowed the delivery of raw, or unpasteurized, milk, allowed dairy farmers to sell it at farm stands that aren't on their property, and permit distribution of raw milk through community-supported agriculture groups. Currently, Massachusetts allows the sale of raw milk through on-the-farm transactions only.
- Baker, a Republican, told lawmakers in an Aug. 9 veto statement that consumption of unpasteurized milk can result in foodborne illness and possible death due to bacterial infections. "The risk of foodborne illness due to consumption of raw milk increases with the number of people handling the raw milk prior to consumption, and the length of time between production and consumption. As such, it is important that any expansion of the sale of raw milk in the Commonwealth be done in such a way that it protects those who choose to consume it," the statement said.
Dive Insight:
Massachusetts now joins a growing list of states in a political fight over access to raw milk as the drink becomes more popular among consumers. Those in favor have pushed lawmakers to make that happen across the country — and with some success. Raw milk sales are currently legal to some extent in 30 states, while another dozen or so, including California, Pennsylvania and Utah, allow supermarkets and retail outlets to sell unpasteurized milk. Legislation in various states to permit the sale of raw milk comes up annually, and some proposals are more stringent than others.
Raw milk bills that aren't quickly killed by committees or subcommittees have usually been referred on to various legislative committees, where they may be taken up later. Utah is an exception since, beginning May 8, that state is now allowing the sale of raw milk at farmers markets and from mobile refrigerated trucks by licensed dairies — and also allowing unregulated on-farm sales of up to 120 gallons per month.
Typically, raw milk legislation appears as a standalone bill, but in Pennsylvania's case, the pertinent section was included in a wide-ranging bill "promoting climate change adaptation, environmental and natural resource protection, and investment in recreational assets and opportunity." Such a stealth-like strategy would seem to make the raw milk section an easy veto target, which is exactly what occurred.
Critics in Pennsylvania say the governor's request to involve the health department in regulating raw milk will end up outlawing sales, but that remains to be seen. What does seem crystal clear, though, is that raw milk continues to be a popular item regardless of safety concerns.
Raw milk fans say the unpasteurized product tastes better than pasteurized milk and also has nutrients and other health benefits not found in conventionally processed milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however, banned the interstate sale of raw milk in 1987 due to potential health risks, but it does not regulate the interstate sale or distribution of raw milk. Those decisions are left to individual states.