Arkansas Lawmakers Advance Bill to Legalize Raw Milk Sales Beyond Farms!

Race Day Live  Arkansas is one step closer to allowing raw milk sales legally. This week, the state’s lawmakers took a major step by advancing House Bill 1048, which would make it easier for farmers to sell raw milk.

The bill passed through the Arkansas House Agriculture Committee with strong bipartisan support. This move has sparked a debate about whether it’s a good idea, with some celebrating the change, while others remain concerned about safety risks.

The bill is mainly aimed at relaxing the current restrictions on raw milk sales in Arkansas. Under the current law, farmers can only sell raw milk directly from their farms.

However, if the bill becomes law, farmers will be allowed to sell raw milk at local farmer’s markets, deliver it to customers, and sell up to 500 gallons each year.

Representative Cameron Cooper, who is pushing for the bill, says that this change will help farmers and customers connect more easily. He described the bill as promoting “food freedom,” as well as supporting local agriculture and the economy.

The idea to change the law comes after a controversy in the summer of 2024. Farmers selling raw milk at a neighborhood market had their products confiscated by the Department of Health.

This happened because selling raw milk outside of dairy farms is currently illegal in Arkansas. As a result, the farmers were not allowed to continue selling their products at the market.

Now, lawmakers want to ensure that farmers can sell their products more freely, which they believe will boost local businesses.

However, there are some concerns about the safety of raw milk. In late 2024, California faced a major scare when bird flu was detected in raw milk.

The state’s Department of Public Health issued a recall after finding the virus in a batch of cream top, whole raw milk. This raised fears about the safety of raw milk, especially when health experts warn that it can carry harmful bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long warned that raw milk can cause serious foodborne illnesses.

This includes bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can be dangerous, especially for young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

Experts also point out that there is no real nutritional advantage to drinking raw milk over pasteurized milk.

While some people claim raw milk contains extra probiotics, the truth is that it often contains harmful bacteria.

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Registered dietitian Joanna Gregg explained that many of the bacteria found in raw milk are pathogens linked to poor hygiene during milking, dirty equipment, or unhealthy cows. These harmful bacteria make raw milk a risky choice for consumers.

Despite these warnings, Arkansas lawmakers are pressing forward with the bill, believing that consumers should have the choice to purchase raw milk if they want to. Supporters of the bill argue that it gives people more control over their food choices and helps local farmers.

However, opponents, including health experts, warn that the potential dangers of raw milk cannot be ignored.

The decision to legalize raw milk in Arkansas will likely continue to be a hot topic as the bill moves through the legislative process.

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