A NEW law has been put in place that lifts a ban on a popular drink, but grocery stores will still face restrictions.
The legislation will take affect later this summer, but only for select Americans.
Grocery stores still won’t be able to sell a version of a popular drink (stock image)[/caption]
As part of House Bill (HB) 1131 in North Dakota, dairy producers will be able to market raw milk and products made from it starting August 1, per Dairy Star.
It was introduced in January and recently passed in the House at 82-9 and Senate 45-0.
This is an amendment to regulations that were placed on raw milk sales in the state through HB 1515 in 2023.
Representative Dawson Holle (R) is the primary sponsor of the HB 1131 update, noting that it “clears up some discrepancies of the first bill.”
“People were asking questions like, ‘Is cream considered milk?’” he told the publication.
HB 1131 specifically addresses the desire for dairy producers to sell cream and other products made from raw milk, and there was a demand from consumers.
Originally, HB 1515 only applied to raw milk itself.
“This created an additional hurdle for both farmers and consumers.” Holle, the youngest legislator in North Dakota history, explained.
“The expansion allows cream, butter and other products to be sold legally.”
PRODUCER’S PARADISE
Holle said he supported the first bill and sponsored the new one because it “eliminates some of the federal and state restrictions, lifts the red tape and gives dairy producers another option.”
“Before, we had two choices: sell to processors or sell cow or herd shares.”
Overall, it was about ensuring all dairy producers had access to the market.
“Today, a 10-cow dairy cannot send milk to a processing plant,” Holle explained.
“As markets move, laws must move too. Whether you are a large scale with 10,000 cows or small scale with just 10 cows, you should have a place in the market.”
States with Raw Milk Bans
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Montana
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
“Smaller farms should be given a fair shake and be able to make money at the end of the day,” he added.
Except, raw milk sales are highly controversial and still have some form of bans in other states along with federal restrictions.
For the most part, raw milk is not allowed on the shelves at any top grocery stores or retailers for several reasons.
STRICT RULES
The top would be the potential health risks, as noted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Typically, milk bought in-store goes through a five-step process, including pasteurization, which heats the milk to a specific temperature to kill bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
All three bacteria could cause serious illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also note that raw milk is 150 times more likely to cause illness than pasteurized milk.
Except, just like with North Dakota, states like California, Pennsylvania, and New York have loopholes.
Most of those loopholes include allowing sales as long as permits are obtained, there are warning labels, and the milk comes directly from where it was produced.
Holle also said North Dakota’s new bill, which keeps sales to farms and producers, allows for enhanced traceability in the event of a food safety outbreak, as there’s a small supply chain.
Still, only about 1% of Americans consume raw milk weekly, per PBS.
A Walmart shopper was also left “deeply grossed out” after a milk mishap earlier this year.
Some contaminated chocolates were also recalled nationwide recently after a “life-threatening” ingredient was found.
