Will Texas Soon Have Raw Milk in Grocery Store Aisles?

There has been a recent push for supplying raw milk to Texans at grocery stores, but some have spoken out against the idea, saying that it is not safe. So, could Texas see raw milk in the grocery aisles soon? There is definitely a chance.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Speaks Out

In a recent editorial piece by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, he outlined the benefits that Texans may receive by adding raw milk into their diets. He includes that there are already a slew of options for Texans to obtain raw milk, but the selection is missing from grocery store dairy aisles.

The sale of raw milk is determined within state borders, as interstate sale is actually prohibited by federal law. Miller went on to state that, growing up, his family wouldn't go to the store to purchase a gallon of milk. Instead, he would milk the family cow himself before straining out the "flies and manure with a cup towel and drink it fresh."

Raw milk from both goat and cow contains a variety of nutrients, the Raw Milk Institute says, including "fats, proteins, anti-inflammatory and digestive enzymes, bioavailable vitamins, and minerals."

A Dairy Disagreement

In an interview with the Texas Standard, a professor of food science at UW-Madison, John Lucey, argued that, although there are indeed health benefits to drinking raw milk, one should not overlook the potential for harmful bacteria.

"It's not very ethical to be giving kids, anybody, the potential that has life-threatening pathogens like listeria," Lucey stated.

Commissioner Miller acknowledged the potential side effects and how raw milk can carry harmful bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. His argument is that Texans should have the power of choice at the grocery store.

Miller included that "the risk is worth taking for some looking for the potential health benefits."

So, what do you think? Should Texans have the option to purchase raw cow's or goat's milk at the grocery store?