Whats the Scoop on Raw Milk in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) number one priority is assuring the food grown, transported and processed in the state is safe and wholesome. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw milk is unsafe and should not be consumed. FDA’s position is consistent with that of the American Medical Association stating, “All milk sold for human consumption should be required to be pasteurized.” Milk, as an animal product, is fundamentally different from other agricultural commodities sold off the farm such as fruits and vegetables. Unpasteurized (raw) milk can transmit organisms like E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Campylobacter that cause serious, sometimes deadly foodborne illness, in humans . These pathogens can unfortunately cause much more than vomiting and diarrhea, especially in highly susceptible foodborne illness groups such as children, senior citizens and immuno-compromised individuals. In December 2005, FDA issued a warning advising consumers to avoid dr
