Amish Raw-Milk Seller Raided by Feds
“A yearlong sting operation, including aliases, a 5 a.m. surprise inspection and surreptitious purchases from an Amish farm in Pennsylvania, culminated in the federal government announcing this week that it has gone to court to stop Rainbow Acres Farm from selling its contraband to willing customers in the Washington area. The product in question: unpasteurized milk. It’s a battle that’s been going on behind the scenes for years, with natural foods advocates arguing that raw milk, as it’s also known, is healthier than the pasteurized product, while the Food and Drug Administration says raw milk can carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and listeria.” (Washington Times)
Government knows best.
FEE Timely Classic
“Raw Milk and the Sour State” by William E. Pike
Comment by Philip Lewis on 29 April 2011:
The government likes to interfere with virtually all elements of our lives. Raid Libya and raid an Amish farmer. Looters!
Comment by Erin on 30 April 2011:
This is so frustrating. Let consumers make their own choices! There is plenty of information out there about the possible risks associated with consuming raw milk. Research it for yourself, know your sources and if you decide it’s not for you, buy pasteurized milk. Don’t force me to drink pasteurized and I wont force you to drink raw. The government denies us our freedom to choose in the name of “for our own good” when in reality it’s simply to protect the profits and interests of the conventional dairy farmers. I’ve been drinking raw milk for years with no problems. I don’t need an overpaid, irresponsible corporatocracy telling me what milk I should or should not be allowed to buy. Go do something useful with my tax dollars for a change.
Comment by Dan D. on 1 May 2011:
I’ve been drinking half-gallon of Raw Milk (and Raw Colostrum) everyday for two straight years and I have never gotten sick.
Comment by Wayne on 1 May 2011:
If the FDA wanted to protect consumers all they would have to do is to inspect the farm and the raw milk to insure it’s cleanliness and certify it as such. In order to have a farm that sells raw milk the inspection standards are much higher. To begin with, the cows have to be healthier and kept in a cleaner environment. The collection, bottling and storage areas are similarly cleaner. The only thing that Pasteurization does is to allow farmers to be less clean throughout the whole process, because they can clean it up the milk at the end.
Unfortunately this is another instance when government has an opportunity to really perform a useful service, but instead it is just interfering with the free choice of the consumer.
Comment by New England Patriots on 4 February 2012:
Precisely the details we is within research of. Should really interrupt my personal costs quickly.