Let Parents Decide: In Defense of Raw Milk and Food Freedom in North Carolina

Raw Milk and Real Freedom: Why You Should Have the Right to Choose What You Eat

Jun 04, 2025

North Carolina - For decades, government regulations have aimed to ensure food safety. However, in the pursuit of making food cheaper and more widely available, we've potentially sacrificed nutritional value and personal freedom. This tension is evident in the ongoing debate over raw milk.28ncleg.gov

When Regulation Becomes Overreach

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recently penned an op-ed expressing health concerns about raw milk and advocating for tighter regulations. His warnings, particularly regarding children consuming raw milk, reignited discussions about food sovereignty and parental rights. Critics argue that such positions may reflect broader corporate interests rather than genuine public health concerns.

The Forgotten Value of Raw Milk

Raw milk—unpasteurized and non-homogenized—has been a dietary staple for centuries, often delivered directly from local farms. It retains natural enzymes, probiotics, and vitamins, offering a more personal connection between consumers and their food sources.

The Nutritional Case for Raw Milk

Unlike ultra-pasteurized milk, which is heated to 284°F, destroying many beneficial components, raw milk preserves:

Vitamin B2 and C
Digestive enzymes like lactase
Immunity-boosting probiotics
Unaltered whey proteins

Studies support these benefits. The GABRIELA study found that children consuming raw milk had significantly lower rates of asthma and allergies, attributing this to the presence of specific whey proteins . Additionally, a 2019 study published in RSC Advances demonstrated that rats consuming processed milk with oxidized proteins exhibited impaired spatial learning and memory .ncleg.gov researc
Additional Sources:
h.uni-luebeck.de
pubs.rsc.org

Real Food vs. Sterile Food

Consider this: a store-bought loaf of bread can remain mold-free for weeks, while homemade sourdough spoils in days.The difference lies in the presence of natural bacteria and enzymes in unprocessed foods, which are beneficial for gut health. Over time, our diets have become dominated by sterile, processed foods, potentially contributing to the rise in allergies and digestive issues.

Pasteurization: Outdated Science or Safety Standard?

Pasteurization emerged in the early 20th century to combat diseases like tuberculosis in milk. However, modern small-scale farms operate under vastly improved sanitary conditions. Notably, pasteurized milk hasn't been immune to outbreaks. In 1983, a listeriosis outbreak in Massachusetts linked to pasteurized milk resulted in 14 deaths . Similarly, in 1985, a salmonella outbreak in Illinois traced to pasteurized milk affected over 16,000 individuals. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Double Standard of Risk

All foods carry inherent risks. Yet, while regulators accept the long-term risks associated with preservatives and additives, they often highlight the short-term risks of raw milk. This inconsistency forces small raw milk producers into legal gray areas, selling products labeled as "pet milk" to meet consumer demand.

The “Pet Milk” Loophole and the Hypocrisy of Regulation

In North Carolina, selling raw milk for human consumption is illegal. However, a loophole allows its sale as "pet milk."Commissioner Troxler acknowledges that many families utilize this workaround, trusting their local farmers over regulatory systems. If safety is the primary concern, why not implement testing protocols, as seen in California's Raw Farm, instead of criminalizing consumers? carolinajournal.com

When Public Safety Becomes Parental Overreach

Troxler's comparison of giving raw milk to children with serving them alcohol raises concerns about governmental overreach into parental decisions. This stance persists despite evidence suggesting raw milk's potential benefits for children's immune systems. Such positions may be influenced by significant corporate lobbying within the dairy industry.

How Industrial Agriculture Skewed the Debate

The opposition to raw milk isn't solely about safety; it's intertwined with corporate interests. Since the 1930s, U.S. agriculture has shifted towards mass production, leading to the consolidation of dairy operations. This centralization makes it challenging for small producers to compete without navigating costly pasteurization processes controlled by major corporations.

House Bill 609 in North Carolina seeks to change this dynamic by legalizing raw milk sales directly from farmers to consumers, promoting local agriculture and consumer choice .ncleg.gov
5carolinajournal.com
5ncleg.gov

From Family Farms to Factory Confinement

The 20th century saw a transition from family-run farms to large-scale industrial operations. Animals, including dairy cows, are often confined in tight spaces, leading to increased disease risk and reliance on antibiotics. This cycle contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, necessitating processes like ultra-pasteurization to ensure product safety.

A 2019 Rat Study Raised the Alarm

Research indicates that consuming processed milk with oxidized proteins can impair cognitive functions. A 2019 study found that rats fed such milk exhibited reduced spatial learning and memory, highlighting potential concerns for human health .pubs.rsc.org

Food Sovereignty and Constitutional Rights

In the U.S., individuals can choose to consume various high-risk foods, yet purchasing raw milk directly from a neighbor remains illegal in many states. This restriction isn't solely about safety; it's about control. A few corporations dominate the food industry, and direct farmer-to-consumer sales challenge this model.

The Real Risk

The most significant threat isn't bacteria in milk but the erosion of personal choice. Consumers should have the right to support local food systems and make informed decisions about their diets. Raw milk symbolizes this broader struggle for food freedom and autonomy.