Raw Milk in Iowa (round 3)

Iowans have been in a 3 year legal struggle over the consumption of milk. Raw milk to be exact. Funny that something as seemingly harmless as milk could cause such a ruckus.  This Wednesday, February 27th, there will be a joint hearing of the House Local Government Subcommittee and the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee to discuss HSB 131 and SF 77 (The Milk Bill). This bill would legalize sales of raw milk directly from farmers to consumers. Farmers could sell directly to consumers without being licensed by the state as long as they sold only on-farm or through delivery arrangements made directly with the consumer. The bills would NOT allow re-selling or sales at grocery stores (or farmers markets). If the subcommittee approves it, then it can go the full Committees, possibly the same week.

I am writing today to say that I am in favor of raw milk sales in Iowa. It is high time that Iowans have the right to decide what food to put in their bodies. I know that many people will tell you that drinking raw milk is not safe. Statistically, the risks associated with drinking raw milk are low. Why can't we drink a glass of clean, fresh, raw milk if we are so inclined? I feel that informed consumers should have the right to purchase raw milk if they choose to do so. If milk is properly handled, there is no danger in drinking raw milk. All fresh food needs to handled properly. We have come a long way since the early 1900s when milk pasteurization was used to fix unhealthy production and distribution systems. With today’s information, pasteurization is not the only way to produce safe healthy milk. The CDC reported three years ago that 3% of all the people in the U.S. drink raw milk at least once a month. That's about 10 million people. YET, IN THE LAST 1O YEARS, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE DEATH IN THE U.S. THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO DRINKING RAW MILK. Iowa is one of only 18 states that does not allow raw milk sales for human consumption. Thousands of people around the globe consume raw milk safely. In my mind, the whole raw milk issue comes down to consumer choice. It is time that Iowan's are allowed to make this choice for themselves. 

Raw Milk Sales in Iowa

Open Letter to My State Legislature.

I have recently learned that the Iowa bill that would allow consumers to buy raw milk directly from farmers has passed through the House Economic Growth Committee and is now ready for a floor vote. I am writing you to tell you that I am in favor of raw milk sales in Iowa. I feel that informed consumers should have the right to purchase raw milk if they choose to do so. I know that many people will tell you that drinking raw milk is not safe. I also know that if the milk is properly handled, there is no danger in drinking raw milk. All fresh food needs to handled properly. We have come a long way since the early 1900s when milk pasteurization was used to fix unhealthy production and distribution systems. With today’s information, pasteurization is not the only way to produce safe healthy milk. Data from the National Center for Disease Control from 1975 to 2005 indicates extremely low risk on properly handled raw dairy compared to other food products. Iowa is one of only 10 states that does not allow raw milk sales in some form. Thousands of people around the globe consume raw milk safely. I myself grew up in Nebraska where raw milk sales from the farm are legal and grew up drinking raw milk with no problems. It is time that Iowan's are allowed to make this choice for themselves also.

Walt Wickham

Maquoketa, Iowa