Unpasteurized Yogurt Recalled Due to Pathogens as Lawmakers Consider Regulation of Raw Dairy
The issue of whether raw milk production should be allowed in the United States has become popular in recent years. Certain consumer groups prefer raw milk products, citing studies that suggest pasteurization poses certain dangers. Individuals who oppose the consumption of raw milk state that the pathogens it can carry are incredibly dangerous and even life-threatening in some instances. Raw milk can contain a wide variety of bacteria and viruses, including E. Coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
This month, CNBC reported that a group of lawmakers who successfully passed a bill relaxing restrictions on raw milk sale and consumption in West Virginia became ill shortly after consuming raw milk in celebration of the bill’s passage. The legislation allows individuals who purchase a share in a milk-producing animal to consume the raw milk produced from that animal. The bill prohibits individuals from selling and distributing that milk to others. These agreements are often referred to as “herd shares” or “cow shares.” A number of states have similar laws facilitating these limited arrangements and allowing raw milk consumption in certain circumstances.