FDA cracks down on California Raw Milk Supplier
November 21 2008
FRESNO, Calif.—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking a court order to block a Kerman dairy from shipping raw-milk products outside California.
The federal agency filed a civil lawsuit Thursday alleging Organic Pastures has been illegally selling its products to consumers in other states. It says the company has tried to skirt the law by labeling its shipments as intended for animal consumption only.
While advocates say non-pasteurized milk has health benefits, the FDA prohibits interstate sales of raw milk products because they also can carry harmful bacteria.
Organic Pastures owner Mark McAfee says the company has never shipped raw milk across state lines for human consumption. He says the company follows FDA guidelines and has done nothing illegal.