Raw Milk: milk that has not been pasteurized (definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

photo from NaturalNews.com

In recent years the demand for raw milk has gone up with the explosion of organic and health food awareness, where as in the past it was most commonly consumed by farm families.

The United States raw milk debate refers to whether or not U.S. authorities who regulate food safety should be able to ban or prohibit raw milk sales for general consumption. Authorities are basing their decision off food safety guidelines (and research) while advocates of raw milk defend it’s claimed health benefits and their right to freedom of choice.

Advocates for raw milk claim it has a variety of health benefits associated with its untainted process, while government officials and researchers report that the claimed health benefits are unsupported by scientific evidence, also noting that there is a substantial food safety risks associated with raw milk consumption.

As the debate erupts all across the nation, farmers, advocates, raw milk consumers, government officials and scientific researchers are all in the spot light and we are all waiting on an answer, healthy or unsafe?

What do you think about the raw milk debate? Have you ever consumed raw milk?  Do you know the raw milk law in your state?  Check out this farm to consumer map to learn more.

Need more information? Want more details to make an informed decision on the raw milk debate? Check out the resources below…

Pro raw milk resources:

• http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/raw-milk-vs-pasteurized-milk/
• http://www.realmilk.com/rawvpasteur.html
• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128547897

Anti raw milk resources:

• http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/consumers/ucm079516.htm
• http://www.realrawmilkfacts.com/
• http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/MilkSafety/ConsumerInformationAboutMilkSafety/ucm165341.htm#slide