Personal Injury Law

Humboldt County keeps raw milk sales ban

By Bill Marler, Esq.

Donna Tam of Times-Standard reported today on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors decision to unanimously maintain the status quo of Humboldt's ban on raw milk sales. According to documents presented by the Department of Health and Human Services, 10 raw dairy outbreaks with 138 illnesses and one pasteurized dairy outbreak with 23 illnesses were reported in 2010 (See, Outbreaks, illnesses and recalls linked to raw (unpasteurized) and pasteurized dairy products, United States, 2010 - through December 18, 2010). Even though raw milk accounts for less than one-half of 1 percent of all fluid milk sales in the United States, it causes two to 10 times as many outbreaks as pasteurized products, the documents said. In essence the Supervisors appear to have felt that the Cons for raw milk outweighed the Pros:

Pros:

* Advocates say raw milk is good for addressing many ailments, including allergies, asthma, eczema, autism, cancer, Crohn's Disease, lactose intolerance, tooth decay and gastrointestinal problems

* Raw milk is rich in nutritional value

Cons:

* Many regulatory agencies say raw milk contains bacteria, parasites and viruses that are usually killed by pasteurization

* There are inadequate studies to support some of the benefits touted by advocates - See also this document from the FDA that was presented to the Board late, RAW MILK MISCONEPTIONS AND THE DANGER OF RAW MILK CONSUMPTION.  See meeting video by following this link.  The meeting starts 1:55:04 in and goes to 3:26:00.  Perhaps the Board also read my blog post of a few days ago at Marler Blog.  Perhaps the Board will ban sprouts next?

Full post as published by Marler Blog on January 12, 2011 (boomark / email).