Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill to legalize the sale of raw milk at dairy farms. It still would be illegal to sell unpasteurized milk at restaurants and farmers markets if the bill becomes law, but raw milk and other products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream that are made with unpasteurized milk could be sold legally at the dairy where it’s processed.
Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the bill makes something legal that’s going on already.
Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says the vast majority of states now allow raw milk sales.
Raw milk enthusiasts say milk that hasn’t been pasteurized has more nutrients and tastes better. Critics say raw milk contains dangerous bacteria. The Iowa Farm Bureau, the state’s diary industry and Iowa grocers oppose the bill. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says raw milk should have a warning label because pregnant women are at serious risk of becoming ill from Listeria if they consume it.
Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says federal data shows at least 144 Americans had to be hospitalized between 1993 and 2012 after consuming raw milk.
Previous attempts to legalize raw milk sales in Iowa have stalled in the past two decades. The Senate bill on the subject passed on a 32-to-15 vote and goes to the House for review.
