The right to choose raw milk?

Max Grones |

Wisconsin has its own black, or should I say, white market
 
Wisconsin has its own black, or should I say, white market.

The government strictly monitors the sale of hundreds of different controlled substance, but should milk be one of them?

Lobbying group Wisconsin Raw Milk Association is (still) pushing for legislation that would legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk in the state, according to wisconsinwatch.org.

While advocates site numerous health benefits of raw milk, the issue receiving the most focus from supporters of the bill is the consumer’s right to choice.  The bill would allow farmers to sell unpasteurized milk directly to customers by passing many safeguards put in place by the industry.

Opponents of the law say that’s it’s the government's job to regulate risky products and unpasteurized milk is just that. A study done in 1992 found bacterial contamination in 25 percent of tested unpasteurized milk and drinking raw milk has been known to cause cases of E.coli, salmonella, listeria, brucellosis and campylobacter.

Even if the bill passes, it doesn’t contain any specific safety standards, so it will be up to the consumers of raw milk to keep themselves safe.