When milk is not milk: Dairy Industry Pushing To Expand Definition Of ‘Milk’

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) – Good old-fashioned milk – packed with protein, calcium and micronutrients – has landed in the middle of a food fight with sugary sodas, sports drinks, even bottled water.

Overall, sales of milk are down a whopping 25 percent since 1975. The dairy industry is now trying to rise to the top with a new plan that focuses on flavored milk like chocolate, strawberry or vanilla.

The plan leaves some with a sour taste in their mouth. The desired target is kids, and while children can greatly benefit from the nutrients in milk, nutritionists are not in support of the plan.

According to a petition filed with the FDA, this plan would change the very definition of what milk is. It would change what’s called the “standard of identify” for milk and for 17 other dairy products.

“The dairy industry is simply interested in selling more products – that’s all they’re interested in. They want to sell more milk,” said Professor Marion Nestle, Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, and author of many books on food, politics and public health.

The change would allow dairy producers to add artificial sweeteners to flavored milk without having to clearly say so on the front. Flavored Milk that is currently sweetened with artificial sweeteners would no longer be called a dairy drink, but milk.

Imagine if you’re shopping: under the proposal, a bottle of low-calorie chocolate milk would look just like a bottle of regular chocolate milk from the front. The only difference would be noticeable on the back of the product, under the ingredient list. And the artificial sweetener would not be listed as the well-known brand names but as their scientific names. According to some nutritionists, that will make it very difficult for consumers, parents and kids to know what they are buying.

continue at CBS San Fran

Meanwhile in Wisconsin, it is illegal to purchase raw milk, something that hopefully will be remedied soon.

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Bill to make fresh milk again legal in Wisconsin

Right now, fresh milk (milk taken directly from cows) is illegal.

Farmers can be fined, taken to court, and even jailed for selling this product to willing consumers.

Does that make any sense to you? Me neither.

Right now is the time for us to change this.

Senate Bill 236 would legalize the sale of fresh milk, decriminalize innocent farmers, and allow consumers to buy the milk they choose.

You and I need to step up the pressure on our state Senators to cosponsor the new Fresh Milk Bill, so farmers can be free to sell their products.

Contact your Senator by clicking here. Tell them to support the new Fresh Milk Bill, and ask them to cosponsor SB236 right away.

Campaign for Liberty

You may remember that farmer "friendly" Jim Doyle vetoed a bill passed by both parties a few years back.  It goes to show how bad the influence corporate farm lobbies have become in the dairy state. 

Judge: Dairy farmer’s religious beliefs not relevant in raw milk trial, War on Milk continues

A Loganville dairy farmer’s religious beliefs do not absolve him of certain legal responsibilities, a judge ruled Monday.

Attorneys for Vernon Hershberger, who faces criminal charges involving unlicensed dairy production and food sales, argued their client’s Christianity prevented him from contesting action related to the case.

“None of (the religious tenets cited by Hershberger) prohibit, on their face, the exercise of any secular rights,” said Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Guy Reynolds as he gave his oral ruling Monday.

In June 2010, inspectors with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection raided Hershberger’s farm and sealed coolers of food. They ordered him to discontinue sales.

continue at Reedsburg TP

I'm not sure religious exemption is the way to go here.  How about throw Big Ag out of Madison entirely. 

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WCL: Wis. Raw Milk bill stalls as Amish man faces 2 years in prison for sale

From Wisconsin Campaign for Liberty:

As you already know the fight for the legalization of Raw Milk is heating up in Wisconsin.  Farmers are being criminalized and our freedoms are being taken away.

Even if you do not drink raw milk, this fight should be very important to you.

If they can criminalize milk then they can criminalize other natural foods that they deem a threat to the establishment.

How long until they regulate your local farmers market?

You and I need to stand up and stop this nonsense right now!

Right now Senator Dale Schultz is stopping the legalization of Raw Milk.  Senate Bill 108 has been stuck in his committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education since May 26th 2011.

Because of Senator Dale Schultz’ inaction, Amish raw milk farmer Vernon Hershberger faces maximum penalties of $13,000 in fines or 2 1/2 years in jail.

I need you to call and email Senator Dale Schultz right now at 608-266-0703, Sen.Schultz@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Ask him why he is standing against the freedom of Wisconsinites.  Demand that he bring S.B. 108, the Raw Milk bill, up for a vote immediately and move it out of his committee.

Tell him to stop standing against your freedom and bring Senate Bill 108 up for a vote right now!

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Sen. Grothman introduces new Raw Milk bill to legalize the sale of milk

A Wisconsin lawmakers who believes local dairy producers should have the right to sell their raw milk[imagine that!] says he's not giving up on his proposal to make it legal. State Senator Glenn Grothman of West Bend and two other Senate Republicans are co-sponsoring a bill that would end most state regulations for licensed producers who want to provide unpasteurized milk to the public.

Grothman said he thinks the measure will pass next year. Similar legislation was being drafted earlier this year by Rep. Don Pridemore of Harford.

The bill would allow producers to sell raw milk if they had a special license from the state, and if the customer brought their own sanitized container. The farm would also be required to hold a Grade A permit to be eligible.

The issue has come back into the forefront after a judge recently ruled to block a Calumet County farm from selling raw milk through a membership program designed to make customers part-owners of their operation.

Last year, former Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a proposal that would have allowed farmers to sell their raw milk if there were certain safeguards in place to protect the public. But Governor Scott Walker said in January of this year that he would likely sign a similar bill if it were to come across his desk.

Supporters have long claimed that raw milk tastes better, contains bacteria that helps fight disease and is more natural. But opponents say the entire dairy industry can suffer if just one illness or death from the product were spotlighted in the media. [excuse me while I roll my eyes]

Wis Ag Conn

A critical member of the Senate Ag Committee who currently is not supporting the bill is Sen. Jessica King of district 18 (she is a newly elected "recall senator". She needs to hear from at least 10 supporters in her district (Fox River Valley) that you support the raw milk bill. PLEASE give her a call and email her also.


HT SQ

Raw milk advocates endorse Dan Kapanke

I strongly encourage you to vote on August 9, and if you share the beliefs above you have no choice but to vote for Dan Kapanke.

Dan took the time to visit our farm a month ago to talk about the raw milk legislation. He drank our milk, ate our cookies and expressed whole hearted unequivocal support for the unrestricted right of farmers to sell-- and consumers to buy--- unpasteurized raw milk direct from the farm. In his present position as chair of the Senate agriculture committee he is prepared to host a hearing and get the bill through his committee. This is a critically important step to passing a bill.

Meanwhile Jennifer Shilling has been asked repeatedly to support our basic freedom to buy and sell food and says simply, " No. Raw milk is unsafe." The implication is that you and the rest of the public can not be trusted to make your own informed decisions about what to eat. It is implied you first need permission from some really smart person at UW-Madison[ROFL!!] before you go shopping and that St Brigid's farm needs a visit from a really smart inspector from the Dept of Ag before we can sell because without his inspection and threats we would not produce a healthy product. The implication from Jennifer is that you and I are not to be trusted and that we need the government to mange our lives and farms.

St Brigid's Meadow 

Shilling = Doyle.  Did you know a Raw Milk bill passed both Assembly and Senate only to have Jim Doyle veto the measure?  Shilling once again has proven she cannot think for herself but must obey party Corleones and financiers. 

New Raw Milk bill being introduced in Wisconsin

Two Republican state lawmakers are cosponsoring a bill that would allow Wisconsin dairy farmers to sell their unpasteurized milk directly to consumers under certain conditions. This week, Rep. Don Pridemore of Harford and Sen. Glenn Grothman from West Bend began circulating a proposal in which producers could sell raw milk if they had a special license from the state and if the customer brought their own sanitized container. The farm would also be required to hold a Grade A permit to be eligible.

Last spring, former Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a proposal that would have allowed farmers to sell their raw milk if there were certain safeguards in place to protect the public. But Governor Scott Walker said in January that he would likely sign a similar bill if it were to come across his desk.

Supporters say raw milk tastes better, contains bacteria that helps fight disease and is more natural.

Currently, 19 states allow direct sales of raw milk from dairy farmers to individuals.

Holstein World

You may remember last year that our past Governor(who also helped produced a $3+ billion deficit) vetoed a bill supporting local farmers in favor of large corporate farms(who get all the farm subsidies from Dems btw).

We are The Dairy State, right??

Milk may be legalized in Wisconsin...

Another attempt to legalize the sale of raw, unpasteurized milk to Wisconsin consumers could be coming in the state Legislature.

Thursday, several key legislators said they favored reviving a raw milk bill that was vetoed in 2010 by former Gov. Jim Doyle.

That bill, which passed the Senate and the Assembly, would have legalized raw milk sales when done by permit through on-farm sales.

Advocates say raw milk contains nutrients, enzymes and bacteria that boost the immune system and can prevent allergies.

Opponents say it can carry bacteria that can sicken or kill people.

Consumers should be able to decide whether the health benefits outweigh the risks, according to legislators who favor legalizing raw milk sales.

"I think the message in the election was for less government," said Sen. Glenn Grothman, (R-West Bend.)

"I also think there is a strong segment of very conservative people who drink raw milk," he added.

Currently the legislature is focused on jobs and the budget.

But raw milk legislation could surface after a state task force studying the issue makes its recommendations in early February.

 JSOnline

Last year both House and Assembly passed this same measure only to have Doh-yle veto it.

Doyle's Enemy of the State

Gov. Jim Doyle has vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have legalized the sale of raw milk to consumers.

"I don't think this was an absolute easy question one way or the other but I think in the end it was one I had to make a decision on," Doyle told reporters. "I think I clearly in those cases have to rely on what the public health people [men with money] are telling me."

Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) blasted Doyle's decision, saying consumers should have the ability to choose raw milk if they believe it has special health benefits.

"I think (Doyle's decision to veto the bill) was a combination of the agribusiness industry who, whatever they say, were afraid of losing a little market share, and the public health establishment that is instinctively afraid of freedom of any sort," Grothman said. "I have a tremendous amount of sympathy for all the people with stomach ailments, autism and other ailments who are going to have to try to obtain a product illegally because their government doesn't believe in freedom."

By an overwhelming margin, the state Legislature passed the bill sought by some farmers and consumers who believe that raw, unpasteurized milk has qualities that boost the immune system and can cure a plethora of ailments.

Mil Journal Sentinal

Cows and family farms, Doyle's enemies of the State.  Now he can sleep safe at night putting farmers(and cows?) behind bars.  Doyle's Democrat party is one of Big farm and Big labor.  Thanks for sticking it to the little guy.

The Raw Milk debate - MMmmmm

I've posted before that my family drinks raw milk.

Now it appears the Wisconsin legislature will take up this issue.  In Wisconsin, raw milk cannot be sold, but you can consume raw milk if you own your own cow.  Some farmers have gotten around this is to sell shares of cows so that the thirsty can drink and the state can feel good about themselves.  Again, as I posted last time, we can smoke as many cigarettes as we want but we cannot drink milk from a cow?  Does this seem a bit odd?


The Assembly Public Hearing for the Raw Dairy Bill has been set.

Tuesday, March 16th
Capital Building, Madison
Room 417 North
10:00 am

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UPDATE:
The previously discussed hearing on the raw milk bill in Madison on the 16th has been cancelled.

There is now just one hearing for both the Senate and the Assembly, which will take place in Eau Claire on March 10th at 10am. This will be the only hearing, and the only opportunity for you to make your voice heard and defend your right to choose your own diet.

Please make every possible effort to attend - take a day off work, cancel your dentist appointment.

If you want to take a bus please RSVP to Vince Hundt by Sunday March 7th at: vince@rotochopper.com.

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If you are in the area or can make it I encourage you to attend.  More details here.

Wisconsin is the dairy state.  I could drive to Walmart and buy milk which is made in China for all I know or I could keep my money local and buy from a farmer just down the road from me.  Although newspapers publish supposed accusations that some illness was caused by raw milk, after further review(which newspapers seldom like) the accusation were incorrect and contaminates came from some other species.

Raw milk debate in Wisconsin

My family drinks "raw milk" that is to say unpasteurized milk.  Or as I like to call it, milk from the cow.  Why, pray tell would we do something so strange?  Well if you must know, here are some interesting facts on the benefits of raw milk.  So it tastes better and is better for you, so why is the state of Wisconsin trying to shut down small farmers selling raw milk?  I mean this is a free country, right?  Riiiiiiight?

Currently there is legislation in the Wisconsin supported by our own Sen. Dan Kapanke to allow for the sale of raw milk.

Kapanke said he has no problem signing onto a bill that would make it legal to sell raw milk in Wisconsin, as it is in more than half the states in the union.
"I grew up on it," said Kapanke, who drank a glass of raw milk at the meeting at Western Technical College in Viroqua. "How can I sit in Madison and say you can't drink it?"

I never understand those laws which protect citizens from themselves in the name of the holy god Safety.  Interesting tangent, the Committee of Public Safety (French: Comité de salut public) during the French Revolution was the body responsible for slaughtering tens of thousands of Catholics and the Genocide in the Vendée.... all for public safety....  I'm just sayin!

Update:  From St. Brigid's Meadow on the Ridge

Some more good news on the legal front: Senator Dan Kapanke of La Crosse has signed on as a cosponsor to LRB 3242/3, which would legalize sales of raw milk. Below is an email he sent out yesterday:

This is an update to let you know that I signed on as a co-sponsor last week to the Raw Dairy Milk Bill (LRB 3242/3) introduced by Senator Pat Kreitlow, Senator Glenn Grothman and Representative Chris Danou. As you know, this bill will allow for the sale of raw milk in certain controlled conditions. It provides consumers the freedom to purchase raw dairy milk directly from farms if they so chose. Plus, it will invest money back into our local economy while giving small dairy farms a much-needed economic boost.
I look forward to the bill’s swift advancement in the legislature and will keep you posted on further developments.
Sincerely,
Dan Kapanke
State Senator, 32nd District