The  freedom to purchase raw milk in California may be coming to an abrupt end. As of January 2008 , California will no longer permit  the sale of raw milk. 

Trouble is rising on the West Coast. Lawmakers in California have added severe new restrictions to proposed legislation concerning the method by which raw milk may be produced. The change is in the number of coliforms per million deemed acceptable by the lawmakers.

Traditionally, the maximum coliform limit in raw milk was around 500.  Now, the line sits at 10.  That is a drastic reduction and one that effectively eliminates raw milk from the state of California. This is due to the near impossibility of producing raw milk with levels that low.

Coliform is a type of bacteria present in the digestive systems of all mammals, including man.  They are harmless in small amounts.  The previous coliform level allowed by California in raw milk was 750 per million.  Ten was the limit set for pasteurized milk.  That has all now changed and will end raw milk production in California.   

Why drink raw milk anyway? Raw milk is a more natural and traditional method of dairy consumption.  Pasteurization kills most of the helpful nutrients and the majority of the milk originates from factory farms.  The typical raw milk sources are small family-owned farms with cattle living in humane conditions.  While the lack of processing does leave more bacteria in milk than that which remains after pasteurization, the risk of consuming raw milk is low compared to the risk of eating just about any other food, pasteurized or otherwise.  Plus, raw milk just tastes better! 

Assembly Bill #1735 (AB 1735) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and becomes law on 1 January 2008.  Concerned citizens and true believers need to band together now to protest this outrage.  Protect raw milk now by please following the link below to express your displeasure over the passage of this new effort to thwart the organic food movement.

http://www.organicpastures.com/ab1735_landing.html

by Jaye Drummond