Raw Milk Lovers Support Controversial Drink

10/27/2007 (KFSN) -- Supporters of unpasteurized milk fear a new bill signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will make their favorite dairy product harder to find.

Some claim raw milk can actually cure illnesses like asthma and allergies. Dozens people of people gathered at a Fresno Farmer's Market Saturday to support the drink they say can heal, raw-unpasteurized milk.

Frankie Miller, mother, says "I have eight children who do not get ear infections. We have not seen our pediatrician for 2 years for illness."

Pat Taussig, drinks raw milk, says "I have always had a problem with weight. I've lost weight. I don't crave sweets. I just feel better."

The rally was organized by Mark McAffee, the owner of Fresno County's Organic Pastures Dairy. He says a new law that goes into effect in January will limit the supply of raw milk to consumers.

The bill restricts the amount of coli-form bacteria that can be sold in raw milk. Bacteria McAffee says is actually healthy. "We've had zero pathogens in 7 years of testing. No bad bugs found in our milk. What they're starting to do is now is test for the good bacteria in our milk. That's not right because these people want the good bacteria in their milk."

University of California Dairy Advisor Gerald Higginbotham says increased levels of coli-form bacteria aren't necessarily harmful to your health, but they are a good indicator of unsanitary conditions at dairies.

The new law doesn't mean the end of raw milk, "It just means those who produce raw milk put more stringent conditions on their dairy to produce milk that meets those requirements," says Higginbotham.

Higginbotham says bacteria can cause illness and even death in severe cases. Something people should be aware of before they feed raw milk to their family.

But raw milk supporters say they'll do whatever it takes to get the product they love. Frankie Miller says she'll buy her own cow if she has to. "We love our raw milk and I was highly upset they're trying to take it away from us," she says.

The owner of Organic Pastures Dairy says he's now working on a letter writing and email campaign, trying to get the law repealed.

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