Despite public health warnings from government organizations and an interstate ban on the transport of raw milk across state lines, many avid raw milk enthusiasts have found ways to exploit a lack of enforcement and a loophole to get a steady supply and create a booming industry.
Nicholas Florko, a reporter for Stat News recently documented his first foray into purchasing raw milk and how easy it is to obtain.
First Time
Florko, a person who has never drank raw milk, took it upon himself to see how difficult it was to order some across state lines.
“I received a text the day before from a man named Karl. My order would be arriving from Maryland between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Northwest D.C. drop site…I pull up to a house worth north of $1.5 million with a Tesla parked outside and two classic cars in the driveway. It looks like the lights are on. Do they know their driveway is being used to commit a federal crime?” Florko writes.
Pet Milk Loophole
In his piece, Florko documents how he was able to easily exploit an FDA loophole for “pet milk” which allows him to buy raw milk for pets across state lines.
“It’s very good for cats and dogs, but you have to admit it’s a loophole,” said Sally Fallon Morell, the founding president of the Weston A. Price Foundation. “You’re allowed to eat pet food.”
Illegal Interstate Trade
In 1987, the Food and Drug Administration instituted an interstate ban on the sale of raw milk in an attempt to improve public health and safety.
Most milk sold in stores undergoes a process called pasteurization that helps kill dangerous bacteria that can grow and cause someone to get sick.
CDC on Raw Milk
Government agencies and researchers hold up the pasteurization of milk as one of the most successful examples of public safety intervention.
“Most public health professionals and health care providers consider pasteurization to be one of public health’s most effective food safety interventions ever,” the CDC says on its website.
Booming Business
Many public health officials, food scientists, and government agencies continue to recommend against people drinking raw milk. However, people are increasingly unwilling to trust these authorities.
“Business is booming,” said Morell. “People who drink raw milk don’t believe this stuff. They don’t believe the government.”
The Market for Pet Milk
While pet owners are thankful for the ability to procure raw milk for their pets, Florko cites a former agency official who says the agency has been allowing the market of human drinkers of raw milk to flourish.
“By and large, I would say the agency has been pretty much missing in action,” said former deputy commissioner Stephen Ostroff, at the FDA. “The more you know it’s there and don’t take any actions, the more of it occurs.”
Low Penalties
According to Florko’s reporting, the FDA has only issued six warnings to people shipping raw milk across states in the last two decades.
Ostroff said in Florko’s piece that the FDA considered making an informal policy about enforcing raw milk shipped by companies, but the agency was concerned about the response people would have about it.
FDA Statement
In a statement, the FDA warned that it has the ability to take action if humans are consuming milk meant for pets.
“If the FDA becomes aware that raw milk labeled for pets is actually intended for the human food supply, it may take action as appropriate on a case-by-case basis,” the FDA said.
States Legalize Raw Milk
In the years since the FDA’s ban and public health concerns around raw milk from scientists, some states have taken it upon themselves to legalize the sale of raw milk in some forms.
Legislation is being pushed by politicians representing those who drink raw milk, who are skeptical of scientific claims of it being unsafe. They also think the pasteurization process can affect the healthiness of the drink.
Dangers of Raw Milk
Health advocates against the consumption of raw milk warn about the consequences of consuming dangerous bacteria which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
While common symptoms are manageable, some people can develop life-threatening diseases like Guillain-Barré syndrome which can cause paralysis and even death.
Raw Milk Benefits
Advocates for raw milk argue that consuming the product in its natural state can provide a myriad of health benefits and additional nutrients.
They say that raw milk is better for people who are lactose intolerant, and those who have asthma or suffer from autoimmune conditions.
