- A Toast to Raw Milk Freedom
In the past, the FDA has said it considers any transport of raw milk across state lines to be a violation of interstate commerce. On November 1st the Raw Milk Freedom Riders purchased raw milk in Pennsylvania ( a state that allows the sale of raw milk) and transported it to Maryland (a state that prohibits the sale of raw milk). This protest was in response to the investigation and allegations against Pennsylvania Amish farmer Daniel Allgyer in 2010 and 2011 and the infiltration of a Maryland buyer club by the FDA.
As reported by David Gumpet, on his blog, The Complete Patient,
The protest leaders, Karine Bouis-Towe and Liz Reitzig, called the 14-vehicle transport caravan the Raw Milk Freedom Riders, and the demonstration that followed, with more than 200 attendees, in front of FDA Silver Spring headquarters the Raw Milk and Cookies Rally. (And both the milk and home-baked cookies at the event were wonderfully delicious.
With respect to the interstate sale and distribution of raw milk, the FDA has never taken, nor does it intend to take, enforcement action against an individual who purchased and transported raw milk across state lines solely for his or her own personal consumption.