Over the past couple of decades, raw milk has become one of the main issues of the natural food movement. Raw milk supporters believe raw milk is the "miracle cure" for all types of health issues and that it is healthier and safer than pasteurized milk. Science is losing this battle as state legislators believe the propaganda put forth by raw milk supporters and ignore the scientific data that shows drinking milk that has not been pasteurized is dangerous. Many state legislatures are listening to these supporters and are trying to pass laws that allow raw milk to be sold in some way in their state with only a few of the bills requiring regulatory oversight.
Attend this session to see a comparison of the scientific data with the “propaganda”, learn why a child may have a more severe illness from E. coli in raw milk than from E. coli in other types of food, discuss the reasons why science is losing this fight, and hear about the current legislative landscape in regards to raw milk. The session will conclude with the mother of a child that became severely ill from drinking raw milk telling his story and discussing the cases of 2 other raw milk victims: an adult who became paralyzed and a 3-year old girl who required a kidney transplant.
Glad to see this important topic being considered for next year's AEC. It is important for environmental health professionals to be aware of raw milk politics and impacts on individual victims as the "food freedom" movement grows and challenges traditional public health food safety messages and regulations.
ReplyDeleteThis will be a really interesting topic for the conference. There is a growing tide through which public health officials need to navigate. This session may assist them as they endeavor to balance science, politics and public choice within the communities they protect.
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful if this scientific body could look at raw milk as two different types of risk for two different kinds of raw milk. One that is especially managed with food safety systems and testing and the other as PMO raw milk that is intended for pasteurization. If this could be done, perhaps the risks of human consumption raw milk could be more clearly rationalized. Mixing risks of raw milk that is intended to be pasteurized with human consumption raw milk is begging for inaccurate and not so helpful information. Certainly the risks are not the same. I would suggest a review of the practices and standards published at www.rawmilkinstitute.org
ReplyDeleteThe results of the testing from these RAWMI participating dairies reveals startling data as measured by end test results. These results are posted at the website as well. We should all be aware that the consumers of America have begun to trust their farmer more than their government. If the government intends to win back that trust, the consumers choices should be supported. The best support comes from dialogue and an effort to make raw milk a safer choice. Models for this choice are clear and a track record shows it can be done.
Along with fluoridation, immunizations, and a few other "out there" health controversies, the Raw Milk crowd is not going away. Science needs to prevail, the full story needs to be shared and all involved in public health, in any capacity, need to get educated so they can prepare to deal with this WHEN it happens in their respective jurisdictions. Raw milk is risky and provides no greater benefits than its pasteurized counterparts. This would be a great session for anyone to attend.
ReplyDeleteIowa has been contending with this public health threat for a few years now. We need to continue to educate the public but also our environmental and public health community about the real risks to population health associated with raw milk. Eric Bradley and Mary McGonigle-Martin have unique experience with this issue that would benefit NEHA conference participants.
ReplyDeleteI wish politicians came to hear the "whole story about raw milk." They are responsible to pass good laws; laws that benefit entire populations and not unscrupulous particular interests. Yes, let's hear about raw milk!
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