A rising conservative in the Missouri House is trying to overturn the “Show Me” state’s raw milk safety policy. Representative Adam Schnelting has prefiled House Bill 1711 for the next Missouri legislative session, which begins in January.
Missouri law, which only allows the sale of raw milk on farms, would be changed to fully legalize widespread retail sales of raw milk. HB 1711 would legalize the sale of “Grade A retail raw milk or cream” in grocery stores, restaurants, soda fountains, and similar establishments within the state.
Raw dairy products require a “warning” label. “Grade A retail raw milk or cream” means “raw milk or cream produced on a dairy farm that complies with sanitary and bacteriological standards that meet or exceed standards for Grade A pasteurized milk.” Defined.
Schnelting (R-St. Charles) is a former legislative official who was first elected in 2018. He represents the 69th District south of Highway 94 in St. Charles County, which primarily includes Harvester, Weldon Spring, St. Peters and parts of St. Charles. .
Mr. Schnelting is a real estate agent and minister, as well as a combat engineer serving in the Missouri Army National Guard. He introduced HJR116, an amendment to the Missouri Constitution authorizing the creation of the Missouri National Guard Bureau during the 2022 legislative session. Missouri voters approved the amendment in the 2022 general election.
This amendment would authorize the creation of the Missouri National Guard Bureau. This resulted in the transfer of the Missouri National Guard from the state Department of Public Safety to the new department.
Schnelting plans to open the state to raw milk in 2024 after reorganizing the National Guard within Missouri’s government. The Missouri Legislature will meet on January 4th.
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raw milk can contain harmful bacteria, including: campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli, listeria monocytogenes, Brucellaand Salmonella.
These bacteria can pose a serious risk to human health.
The CDC reports that people who get sick from raw milk can suffer from diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting for days. Some people develop serious or life-threatening illnesses, such as:
- Guillain-Barre syndromeMay cause paralysis.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome can lead to kidney failure, stroke, and even death.
According to the CDC, the myth that raw milk contains more enzymes and nutrients than pasteurized milk is not supported by any science. Multiple studies have shown that pasteurization does not significantly affect the nutritional quality of milk. Scientists have no evidence of any nutritional benefits from drinking raw milk.
Raw milk is prohibited from interstate commerce. Public health officials in most states warn against drinking raw milk.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here. )
