Health authorities in British Columbia have their sights set on a small Raw Milk Dairy in Chilliwack. The Home On The Range Dairy has been producing raw milk without incident for a number of years now.

BC’s top health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall warned consumers that a sample of products tested by the BC Centre for Disease Control including raw milk, yogurt, cream, butter and cream cheese were contaminated with fecal matter.

The BC Centre for Disease Control refused to give the samples back so they could be retested to prove that they contained pathogens. They destroyed the samples and are not releasing the lab results. Home On The Range is accusing the BC Centre for Disease control of obstructing justice.

Kendal says drinking unpasteurized milk can cause serious illness, long term diseases or death. He says raw milk products are epecially dangerous fro young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Kendall says so called health benefits of drinking raw milk are offset by the many serious illnesses and that there is no scientific evidence that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized dairy products.

A good source of raw milk facts is a site associated with the Weston Price Foundation, www.realmilk.org

It has been well publicized by Health Canada and other public health authorities that unpasteurized milk has the potential to contain “bad bacteria” but what they are not publicizing is that it contains many “good bacteria” and many beneficial enzymes and nutrients which have documented health benefits.

This is a link to transcript of a trial where scientific data on the safety and health benefits of raw milk were presented by experts testifying in court. This is well worth the read!

http://www.realmilk.com/documents/expert-testimony-0508.pdf

Home On The Range Dairy was set up as a “cow share” program. This means that individuals purchase shares in a cow and drink their share of the cows milk. They have been operating legally without any problems until July 9, 2008 when the Fraser Health Authority served them with an Order to Cease and Desist “distributing” raw milk. On March 18th 2009 a second Cease and Desist order was given to their depot in Abbotsford. They are appealing to the Supreme Court of BC for both orders. Meanwhile, while being careful not to breach the cease and desist orders “Real Milk” is still flowing in BC.

In other countries Raw Milk can be sold at farmers markets or other distribution points with a warning on the label making consumers aware that Raw Milk may contain harmful bacteria. This kind of regulation makes sense and is used on tobacco and alcohol products which are far more dangerous to consumers than raw milk.