Last month, the mothers purchased raw milk from a farm in Pennsylvania and took it across the border to Maryland. From there, they traveled to the steps of the building housing FDA offices in Silver Spring, Md. and drank the milk.
The FDA bans transportation of unpasteurized raw milk across state lines. Government officials insist the unpasteurized milk poses a health risk because of its susceptibility to contamination from cow manure, a source of E. coli. In 1987, the feds implemented 21 CFR 1240.61(a), which provides that, “no person shall cause to be delivered into interstate commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold for sale or other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or milk product in final package form for direct human consumption unless the product has been pasteurized.”
After the initial action by the moms, the FDA issued a statement indicating the agency has no intention of prosecuting those who transport raw milk for personal consumption.
This time, the milk freedom riders will up the ante, purchasing fresh, unprocessed milk from a small farm in Wisconsin, transporting it to Chicago’s Independence Park, and then distributing it to other mothers who need it for their families.Details