Got Milk?

I attended a Master Food Preserver (aka Food Safety Advisor) class last week.  The presentation was on pasteurized milk verses raw milk (raw milk is milk that hasn't been pasteurized) .  Dr. Sandra McCurdy Extension Food Safety Specialist from U of I presented.  She personally was a proponent of pasteurization and shared many web site links where further study could be done. I will post those below.

I found this publication from Utah State University that I thought was great information.  Raw Milk Safety Facts  I use the Utah State University publications as a 'go to spot' very often.  HERE is a link in case you would like to check them out too.

I personally have always been a pasteurized milk gal.  When I was a girl I went to stay with some dear family friends for a week.  They had a farm and oh the fun we had!!!  They had beautiful milk cows and they were milked by hand twice a day.   Dwayne would bring the milk in and Jan had a home pasteurizer that the milk went right into.  It just sat on the counter of their big country kitchen.  It was a simple process.  I guess that was my only background regarding milk from the farm.  I/we lived in town and the milk came from the store.

 When I was sharing the class information with my husband his remark was he had raw milk whenever he went to the family farm.  My sons statement people should have the right to decide for themselves and not be dictated to.  I would have to say I agree with my son's statement.  I am a small government kind of a gal.

So with that I would like to share some web sites so that whatever you decide it will be an informed decision - aren't those always the best.

State-by State Review of Raw Milk Laws

Marler Blog on Raw Milk

Food Safety News

Advocates and Their Arguments

Real Milk

Raw Milk Risks: Mari Tardiff (video)


I will continue to be a pasteurization person.  Even if we had a milk cow in the back yard I would pasteurize the milk.  I cook meat and test it with a thermometer, I can following the latest information for safe practices. I wear a large brimmed hat when out working in my garden - that's just who I am.  I prefer to be on the safe side.

Have a great day!
a little bird