Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Raw Milk Sales

MADISON, WIAdvocates of raw milk suffered a setback when Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a bill that would have allowed the states dairy farmers to sell raw milk. He cited food-safety and testing concerns in his veto statement, saying, I recognize that there are strong feelings on both sides of this matter, but I must side with public health and the safety of the dairy industry.

Legislation legalizing the sale of unpasteurized dairy products had passed the state Senate with broad support, but did not have the two-thirds majority in the Assembly necessary to override the Governors veto. Wisconsin state law does not prohibit consumption of raw milk and allows incidental sales. The bill would have allowed on-farm sales of raw dairy products until 2012.

Raw milk proponents say it is healthier than pasteurized milk, because pasteurization changes the nutritional composition and destroys hormones and beneficial microorganisms. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says: Many studies have shown that pasteurization does not significantly change the nutritional value of milk and dairy products. All of the nutritional benefits of drinking milk are available from pasteurized milk without the risk of disease that comes with drinking raw milk.

The federal government bans sales of raw milk because of the possibility it could cause food-borne illness. Raw milk caused 1,614 reported illnesses, 187 hospitalizations and two deaths nationwide between 1998 and 2008, according to the CDC. In 2009, an outbreak of Campylobacter illness linked to raw milk sickened at least 35 people in Wisconsin. Currently, 19 states allow direct sales of raw milk from dairy farmers to individuals, and nine additional states by permit retail sales of raw milk.