Raw Milk Anyone?

here in the UK it is available if bought direct from the farmer, or at a farmer's market. unpasteurised milk products are generally available everywhere (cheese etc.)

There are risks associated with raw milk, but then again, there are risks with everything, and plenty of people have grown up big and strong on a diet of raw milk. In fact, I believe the actual cases of infection from raw milk are infinitesiminally small.

I have no idea how you'll get hold of it in the states.

You could check this link and see if any of them are near you.

http://www.realmilk.com/where05.html#mn

It's difficult to purchase the milak direct from the farmer

i have no axe to grind on this but why would you want raw milk over pastuerised milk?


Below is from the FDA

Raw Milk & Pasteurization: Debunking Milk Myths
While pasteurization has helped provide safe, nutrient-rich milk and cheese for over 120 years, some people continue to believe that pasteurization harms milk and that raw milk is a safe healthier alternative.

Here are some common myths and proven facts about milk and pasteurization:

Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk's nutritional value.
Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened.
Pasteurization DOES kill harmful bacteria.
Pasteurization DOES save lives.

real raw milk can be purchased on the "black market" here in the states. lol. Depending on the state, you can purchase it if you claim to be buying it for your animals....lol. It's really silly.

There is every study under the sun that states how good raw milk is for you AND how bad raw milk is for you. It is one of those things that you just take with a grain of salt. Either you want it or you don't. Personally, we drink it. We had a difficult time purchasing it "legally" when we lived in Georgia. Now we just buy it underground. It's easier and cheaper.

This site may help: http://www.realmilk.com/where03.html

ETA: There is a difference between raw milk and whole milk in advertising. Many farmers will heat their raw milk prior to selling.

From the Center for Disease Control:

Many people who chose raw milk thinking they would improve their health instead found themselves (or their loved ones) sick in a hospital for several weeks fighting for their lives from infections caused by germs in raw milk. For example, a person can develop severe or even life-threatening diseases, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can cause paralysis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure and stroke.



There are a lot of fine ways to die. I don't consider drinking milk to be one of them.

when you are at the grocrey store look for the local milks. I know hannaford carries diffrent local brands, buy a regular bottle ( for the number) and call them. Most farms do it. At least in the US anyways.

Do a search in your local area for a term called 'Community Shared Agriculture'. Essentially what this is is you purchase a "share" of a local farm or farms where on a weekly basis you get a share of the crops. This helps the farmers as you pay upfront and infuses capital into their farms for the season. Most are organic and many have meat and dairy as options including Raw milk. Just make sure the farms are USDA inspected and most of them should be. Depending where you live many of the CSA programs are about finished so could be too late but you should be able to find where to get the raw milk for now. Nothing wrong with a weekly ratio of organic veggies, grass-fed meat and free-range poultry! And the prices are usually very reasonable.

this totally just made me think of this:

Raw milk tastes good - that is the real reason. I used to drink it every once in a while when I could get it from a small farm that is land-held by my MIL. But honestly, it is dangerous. Especially for kids. If you want to take the risk personally - fine. Giving it to children is criminal unless you really know the source.

Pregnant women or those near pregnant women should avoid it too - the real risks, especially in America, around salmonella can be catastrophic. Other risks include listeriosis, E. coli infection, Q-fever and tuberculosis. All nice.

Raw milk is one of the most dangerous food products and is responsible for many more hospitalizations than any other food-related disease outbreak - so take that into consideration.

The issue with raw milk in America is that since it is illegal in about half the states there is limited control or testing in these states. It would be possible to develop a better industry today given the quality of microbial testing but not in that legal and economic environment of volume.

Europe has a different position and raw milk is available in almost all countries. Cheese from raw milk? I would not like to live without it. Love my Comte.