Raw Milk Fans Oppose California’s New Rules

BERKELEY, Calif. — Many raw milk consumers are opposing new dairy standards set to take effect next week in California, saying they could outlaw some of their preferred products.

The new law does not create an outright ban on raw milk, but producers believe it could dry up supplies by setting new bacteria limits they say are difficult to meet.

Mark McAfee is founder of Fresno-based Organic Pastures Dairy Company, the larger of two raw milk producers in California. He said consumers "are fed up with the government being in their kitchens, and they want to be able to make their independent choices about food they want to eat."

State officials, on the other hand, say producers should be able to meet the standards, which they maintain are necessary for consumer safety.

The new standard takes effect on Jan. 1, setting a limit of no more than 10 coliforms per milliliter. Coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, most of which do not cause disease. Pasteurization, in which milk is heated, kills many bacteria, which are still alive in raw milk.

"We found that coliform count is indicative of a healthy and clean and wholesome production process for raw milk," said Steve Lyle, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

But raw milk producers say their product is already tested for dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. They contend that the presence of other coliforms in their milk are simply part of what makes their product unique and, in their view, healthier by promoting a stronger immune system.

"There's a bacteria paranoia in our country which is just out of control," McAfee said.

Read the full Associated Press story here.