According to a recent article by the Heartland Institute, a conservative public policy think tank, consumers and producers of raw (unpasteurized) milk will likely face increased scrutiny by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In July, the FDA was given additional regulatory powers under the Food Safety Modernization Act, including the ability to confiscate food it believes to have been produced under unsanitary or unsafe conditions. Under prior law, it had to have “credible evidence” in order to take such action.
According to the article, the FDA has stepped up its regulatory efforts in recent years citing safety concerns and the belief that raw milk consumption contains no health benefits. But raw milk supporters believe pasteurization kills beneficial bacteria and enzymes needed to absorb nutrients and helps improve the health of people with a range of medical conditions. Currently, only ten states, including Connecticut, allow the retail sale of raw milk. Fifteen states allow the sale of raw milk on farms only.
