Raw milk and unpasteurized cheeses are illegal in some US states, but legal in others. Consumers can purchase raw milk products in retail stores in nine states, or directly from farms through herd sharing arrangements. Unpasteurized hard cheeses are legal if aged at least 60 days at a temperature no lower than 35°F. The debate centers on concerns about disease, with the FDA and CDC warning of risks, while advocates argue for nutrient and taste benefits and personal choice.
Raw milk and unpasteurized cheeses made with raw milk are illegal in some US states, but many allow people to purchase raw milk products in one form or another. As of 2010, consumers could legally purchase raw milk products in retail stores in nine states, including California, Arizona, South Carolina, Maine and Pennsylvania. People can also buy raw milk products direct from farms or as part of a herd sharing arrangement, but all products must be “fluid dairy products,” which don’t include butter or most cheeses. Unpasteurized cheeses are also legal in most areas as long as they have been stored a certain way.
Get unpasteurized dairy products
Unpasteurized cheeses are available in one form or another in most areas of the United States. Some people illegally bring them from other countries, while others buy or obtain the cheeses directly from the farmers. This is sometimes done through a herd sharing scheme, where the consumer purchases a “share” in a cow that goes to feed and house them, and in return receives produce from the cow. However, herd sharing programs are usually only allowed to sell fluid dairy products, meaning participants may only be legally allowed to obtain unpasteurized milk, yogurt and cottage cheese from their pet.
Some types of unpasteurized hard cheeses are actually legally available in most areas as long as they have been stored under certain conditions. They must have been aged at least 60 days in an environment kept at a temperature no lower than 35°F (1°C) – this process makes the cheese more acidic, killing off most potential sources of bacterial infection. This process can be used to make harder cheeses, such as Parmesan. Farmers can generally sell cheeses like this, although in some areas they must have a manufacturing facility license.
The debate
The debate over raw milk and unpasteurized cheese boils down to concerns about the spread of disease. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) say that most raw milk products are risky to consume because they sometimes contain germs that can spread diseases such as tuberculosis. Those on the other side of the debate argue that pasteurizing milk robs it of nutrients and taste. Other advocates believe it is not up to the government to govern people’s choices about what they eat.
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