Posted February 28, 2014
Georgia State Representative Scot
Turner recently introduced a bill that would allow raw milk sales in
grocery stores, according to an AgWeb article available here. The full text of HB 718 is available here.
Under the current law, raw milk sales are only allowed for
pet consumption.
The Marietta
Daily Journal reports that some residents are skeptical that the bill would
improve the quality of raw milk or make it more affordable. They are also worried that allowing raw milk
sales in grocery stores could backfire, “destroying the fragile web that
connects small farmers and their customers.”
Cindy Morrow
says she would rather drive a few extra miles to meet a local farmer, see the
animal, and buy her milk, rather than purchase it from a shelf in the grocery
store.
This is the second attempt for Rep. Turner to legalize
raw milk in the state. Turner said,
“Food and freedom is an issue I’m passionate about. I think people should have the option to eat
real foods, and foods they determine are best for them.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that
raw milk can carry dangerous bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and
listeria. Pasteurization is a process in
which the milk is heated to kill bacteria which causes these foodborne
illnesses.
For more information on food safety and food labeling,
please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here
and here.
