Those who are fighting for the legalization of raw milk and raw milk products say that it is the “Big Dairy” lobby that is seeking to quash the raw milk movement.
Aside from the obvious reason, keeping supermarket sales of pasteurized, homogenized milk products strong, there’s another reason “Big Dairy” might seek to suppress the Raw Milk movement: it’s an obvious gateway to small farm prosperity.
Once a consumer heads to a small farm to purchase raw milk, they often purchase other fresh products, such as eggs, vegetables and fruit, not to mention other dairy products (raw milk cheese and yogurt).
Raw milk advocates, led by associations such as the Weston A. Price Foundation maintain that pasteurized milk is a completely different product from raw milk because it is cooked. Cooking changes the properties of many foods, and often the nutritional values. Milk is no different.
While it is true that pasteurization eliminates the risk of pathogens in dairy products, it is also true that obtaining raw milk from a healthy cow with safe handling practices provides a low risk of pathogens as well.
If you decide to seek out raw milk for yourself – in a state other than New Jersey – take care to observe safe handling practices and proper refrigeration, as raw milk is highly susceptible to spoilage. Make certain the cows have grazed on pasture that is organic and, as always, know your farmer.
Sources:
- Waser M, Michels KB, Bieli C et al. (May 2007). “Inverse association of farm milk consumption with asthma and allergy in rural and suburban populations across Europe”. Clin. Exp. Allergy 37 (5): 661–70. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2006.02640.x. PMID 17456213.
- Loss G, Apprich S, Waser M, Kneifel W, Genuneit J, Büchele G, Weber J, Sozanska B, Danielewicz H, Horak E, van Neerven RJ, Heederik D, Lorenzen PC, von Mutius E, Braun-Fahrländer C. GABRIELA study group. The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: The GABRIELA study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128:766–773. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.07.048. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21875744
- Raw Milk: Myths and Truths. https://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/00E8757C-99E4-4414-8C54-2C92BB776567/0/RevisedPresentationJuly8RawmilkmythsandevidenceNadineIjaz_PROTECTED.pdf
About The Author
Michele Jacobson
Michele Jacobson is the author of Just Because You’re An American Doesn’t Mean You Have To Eat Like One! She is a certified clinical nutritionist, cable show host, blogger and GMO labeling advocate. Michele writes and speaks about nutrition, how to shop for healthier food in the American marketplace, and on health benefits derived from traditional diets of the world. She is passionate about teaching Americans how to eat and shop for optimum health! Visit her website at www.nutritionprescription.biz