For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Healthy Raw Milk page and our All About Organics page.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) commonly warns against drinking raw milk, citing numerous “outbreaks” linked to the product.

But drinking raw milk produced by grass-fed cows from clean, well-run farms is actually far LESS dangerous than drinking pasteurized milk. In fact, not only does raw milk contain good bacteria that are essential for a healthy digestive system, raw milk also offers protection against disease-causing bacteria.

CDC data show there are about 412 confirmed cases of people getting ill from
pasteurized milk each year, while only about 116 illnesses a year are linked to raw milk. Eventually, as the numbers of raw milk dairies increase, and so too do their happy customers, the CDC may be forced to change its tune.

No Illnesses Linked to Raw Milk in Arkansas

Last year, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe signed into law HB 1536, which legalized the sale of locally produced raw milk from the farm. Four months after the bill took effect, as of January 20,
no illnesses have been caused as a result of this increase in raw milk sales. According to Arkansas Online:

“Four months after a state law took effect allowing the sale of unpasteurized milk, the Arkansas Health Department has yet to identify an illness ‘definitively linked’ to consuming the beverage.”

The new bill impacts both cow and goat milk. Previously, Arkansas allowed farmers to sell up to 100 gallons of raw goat milk per month at the farm, but HB 1536 will increase that to 500 gallons. Additionally, raw cow’s milk is now also allowed, with a few caveats. According to RealMilk.com:

“Arkansas permits the sale of up to 500 gallons of raw cow or goat milk per month directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced.

Farmers must post a sign at the farm and their products must display a label noting that the milk is not pasteurized. Farms and cows are not state inspected and buyers assume all liability for any health problems that may arise from drinking raw milk.”

So far, those “health problems” are non-existent, adding further support for those seeking to legalize raw milk sales across the US.