Theres a powerful need by those opposed to consumers having
free access to raw milk to say, I told you so. Each time there is a report of
illness potentially associated with raw milk, these people go ballistic. Its
the old gotcha routine.
The latest example comes from a situation in Connecticut in
which four children who consumed raw milk from the states only organic dairy
became ill over the last week. (A few comments following my previous post refer to it.) I have been blogging about raw milk for awhile
I am busier than ever, chortles germ lawyer Bill Marler on his blog, reporting on the
Connecticut situation.
Because these cases often are pretty well divorced from
reality by the time people like Marler get hold of them, I called the farm,
Simsbury Town Farm Dairy. It turns out its not a conventional farm, but is
instead owned by the small town of Simsbury and operated by a nonprofit
organization known as The Friends of Town Farm Dairy.
Bill Dryden, president of the organization, told me that the
town has owned the farm since 1883, when it was deeded to the town for the
benefit of the poor. People who couldnt make ends meet could come to the farm
and earn their food and shelter at the farm by working there.
That approach ended in the late 1940s as the move to cities
and the demise of farming gained speed. Too badit might help a lot of people
being put out into the streets by the subprime mortgage mess. Since then, the
farms been leased by various farmers.
As far as raw milk is concerned, the dairy was formed 22
years ago, according to Dryden, and consumers would come to the farm with
containers and make purchases. But a year ago, The Friends decided to begin
bottling milkboth pasteurized and unpasteurizedfor sale via retail outlets,
since retailing of raw milk is legal in Connecticut.
I should note at this point that Dryden didnt know anything
about the controversies swirling around raw milk in California, Pennsylvania,
New York, and other states. His day job is that hes a management consultant,
and he sees his involvement with The Friends as part of an effort to help the
farm serve as a local resource for education and conservation.
Dryden confirmed that the dairy has, at the states request,
discontinued sales of raw milk. But he said this isnt an open-and-shut case.
Since the state notified The Friends of the illnesses a week ago, no E.coli
0157:H7 has been found in the milk or on the farm. The initial test (of milk)
came back negative. Theres no link except the circumstance of the children becoming
ill.
He says the dairy has received a few calls in the past when
children have become ill, and the illnesses turned out to be from other causes.
One turned out to be the day care centerThe knee-jerk reaction is that this
must be raw milk.
Now, on the other side, todays Hartford Courant has what
seems a reasonably reported article in which it says the farmers who had been
running the dairy departed as of July 1, and that since then, the dairy has
been run by volunteers. An official of the dairy is quoted as saying there
might have been some let-down in procedures that could have led to
contamination of milk.
If that turns out to be the case, then it seems The Friends
have a challenge to fix the problem and make sure it doesnt happen again. Beyond that, it seems clear is that this particular milk production
model isnt your typical model, and that there is a desire by those involved to
make sure any problems are resolved.
Theres still a good ways to go before the Simsbury Town
Farm Dairy is convicted, though.
In the meantime, Im still not sure where this need to
demonize raw milk continues to come from. Perhaps from the fragility of the opponennts
case? From their need for control? From their desire to profit? From their
ideology that factory farming is inherently cleaner farming? Ego?
As someone who favors consumers having the freedom to access
raw milk, I want the product to be as safe as possible. I dont suggest that
people dont get sick from raw milk on occasion, any more than I suggest they
dont get sick from ribs and sushi and jalapeno peppers and hamburger and
salami. The Hartford Courant article reports that in Connecticut between 2001
and 2007, there were 282 E.coli cases reported in the state, of which three possibly
involved raw milk, since three of those people reported consuming raw milk
before they got sick That means that at least 279 E.coli cases came from
other foods.
I don’t oppose methodologies that will improve safety, a la SB 201 in California, and many other raw milk advocates feel the same way. There’s just something terribly misguided about the knee-jerk reaction to any report of possible illness from raw milk that it is a significant public health hazard.
Please read my post of today and the older posts linked to it at:
http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/search/label/raw%20milk
We’re demonized because the house of cards that is the food system in the US depends on people believing, and raw milk and wildcrafting food, and a whole host of other behaviors question those assumptions.
Raw milk is good food, and things can certainly go wrong at many stages in the process. But supporting small farmers and food in a more unprocessed state is a radical act, and it apparently can not go unpunished or unquestioned. The stakes are very high, if people do lose confidence in the way food is grown, handled, and delivered to us. And that is what is happening. A crisis of confidence. It will be interesting to watch the fall out and I hope more people will come to understnad where true safety can be found — local small growers, having a relationship with your producers, asking lots of questions, demanding verification of claims and looking beyond "if it’s organic don’t panic".
An informed and involved consumer can only be a good thing.
I’m in the minority even around here. I oppose the criminalization by individuals of not wearing a seat belt, as long as they don’t try to make me pay their hospital bills if they get in an accident. I am less opposed to the criminalization of a manufacturer not providing a seat belt in a car, but only because the individuals engaged in that business have accepted privileges from agents of the state. If they accepted no privilege, they would be under no such obligation.
"Or the regulation of cigarette and alcohol sales to minors?"
We do not live in a free country until I can send my little girl down to the corner store with a note signed by me, and she can use my money and shopping list to buy a fully automatic weapon, a gold ingot, and a bag of heroin. But the heroin should be in a separate aisle from the sugar, and clearly and accurately labeled.
"Food has a proven record as a source of food-borne infections."
Fixed that for you.
Amanda
This is true of much more than just raw dairy. Why aren’t they being banned and forced regulation. The currant regulated "foods" obviously isn’t working.
If you don’t want raw milk, raw fish or raw anything, then don’t buy it.
Steady stream? If something becomes contaminated, it usually is from improper handling somewhere along the line. Like the contaminated pasteurized milk in the mid 80s that made so many ill. It is no different for raw foods.
Healthy cows and proper handling are the keys for healthy foods.
5 families filed suit against OP? I thought it was 2.
Thankfully,the children that claimed they were sickened have all fully recovered and lead normal healthy lives. Some even continue to drink raw milk.
Please be informed and accurate. Anything else is unfair and borders on libel.
Mark McAfee
You stated, The children that claimed they were sickened have fully recovered and lead normal and healthy lives.
It is a fact that 5 children contracted E.coli 0157:H7 and two children suffered from HUS. Im not sure why you used the word claimed. That makes it sound as if theres a possibility that the children werent really ill.
All the children have not fully recovered. You read this blog and Im sure your insurance company has all the medical records. One of the children who developed HUS has permanent kidney damage. Its been mentioned several times on this blog by the mother of the child.
Please take your own advice, when speaking of others, please be clear, fair and accurate. At least this time you didnt blame the illnesses on spinach, hamburger, or sushi. Your making progress.
I had the same challenges to Mark’s post that you did. I was with you all the way on your reply until your last 2 sentences. I thought they were gratuitous and not relevant to what was being discussed.
Perhaps he uses "claimed" for the same reasons the govts use "linked".
Reveals that what is needed is more money, more laws and more tracking. HUM
Has anyone heard that before? MONEY and CONTROL equal food safety? No hidden AGENDA its all about food safety.
Thankfully,the children that claimed they were sickened (by OPDC) have all fully recovered and lead normal healthy lives. Some even continue to drink raw milk.
What about innocent until proven guilty?
While we all want safe food and healthy germ free homes ,a trend that started in the 50’s or earlier with the super hygenic baby raising books,this super sterile ideology has wrought mayhem within our immune systems.
My own child had an e-coli infection at 2 months of age. She was not consuming raw milk, eating meats, raw veggies or any of the other culprits being blamed for people and especially children getting sick.
Yes, we are farmers – and the doctors would not blame the farm – instead they said that e-coli is everywhere and lives naturally in our gut(along with other things)and any stress on the immune system simply allows the bad to outnumber the good. In her case it could have been as simple as a poopy diaper allowing bacteria into the urinary tract.How many other children , especislly the younger ones who haven’t perfected the hand washing after potty time, are simply infecting themselves or others? Do we know how many strains of e-coli we harbor?
The fact that the sources of contaminations in foods are often never revealed makes me suspicious. Why can’t a farm test for BSE,and other things at their own expense to ease consumer fears?
Why do we not hear the Country of Origin? One e-coli outbreak in beef was due to Australian beef being slipped through Canada (we would not allow beef from Australia at that time)yet this was not revealed to the public. More regulation is not the answer – the laws are in place. The technology is there. The ability to inform is there. When it has been proven that the dangerous form of e-coli results within the whole carcass when feedlot cattle are fed wet brewer grains,why is this practice allowed to continue?Money. Politics. I would never continue to feed my animals anything like that.
I was not always a farmer ,I married one, so I had a lot to learn – and after working with Veterinarians as a Vet Tech I have seen and been exposed to many things. One thing I have learned is that when the gut is stripped of bacteria and enzymes, usually due to antibiotic use or stress,the immune system is compromised because nutrients aren’t being properly digested. Also I have seen that ,when these same enzymes are added into the system too quickly it can cause diarrhea which is often mistaken for illness.It is simply the body trying to adapt and resolves itself.
No one likes to see a loved one suffer with e-coli , or other illness,the possibility of losing my child was very real – she was so little, and I was ready to blame everything for making her sick , but the fact was and I believe still is – There will always be germs.We need to be responsible and use common sense.When a Day Care had an outbreak not too long ago,food was blamed, yet it came down to a sponge. They were using the sponge to clean the diaper changing area to wipe down the eating surfaces – YUK! I have seen workers at a convenience store prepare food and handle money (but they had gloves on!)Do we really know if the restaurant workers wash their hands after they use the restroom?
There are flaws in the system alright – let’s look in the right places.
Before going to law school I had a night manager job at a chain restaurant and came in to work one night after a hot July day to find that the day shift had not thawed any hamburger for me. Checking the freezer, I hauled some out and one whiff told me that it had spoiled, probably left out too long in the heat, or carried in a truck in which refrigeration had failed, or bad from the start. I called my day manager (who may not have thawed it knowing it was bad), and asked if another store could bring me some good burger. He said no, just throw the bad frozen stuff on the grill, and the cooking would cure it. I refused, and we didn’t serve hamburger that night (and I didn’t lose my job, altho I quit soon thereafter).
So, s**t happens, whether it’s an over-used sponge or rotten burgers (since I’m sure my manager’s advice was given to others, and likely was followed, although 35+ years and a couple generations of Bill Marlers later, I would think not). It’s futile to try to live walled-off; adaptively, it’s better to eat nutritious food and build a healthy immune system. This is difficult, however, for most Americans, since culturally we have to find a reason for everything, and then blame to "fix" it.
"Please be informed and accurate. Anything else is unfair and borders on libel."
I suggest you take your own advice.
Looks like you are right. Mark is guilty as far as these people are concerned.
They don’t even know all the facts and they are ready to put him in the gas chamber.
These people have taken a great thread and are repeating all the same lies, innuendoes and half truths that has been posted here before.
David I love your blog and I learn something every day. Thanks you.
I look forward to the day when certified raw milk and it’s products are available in every grocery store in the USA.
Why are you so quick to say that the people on this blog are repeating lies? How do you know? Do you have all of the facts? Why do you jump to Mark’s defense? Do you have any idea what you are talking about? Who are you saying is lying? You should do some reading and see who are the ones doing the lying? Maybe you are lying?
Maybe you are lying and you don’t know all the facts.
See how easy it is to spread lies and accusations?
Looks like I touched a nerve.
We’ve been through all of this before!
Can you guys just STOP and act like adults? If you have nothing to add to the conversation, please keep your comments to yourself.
Have a nice day 🙂
Libel: harmful statement in a fixed medium
clarification: if the harmful statement is TRUE, it cannot be prosecuted.
I’ve been following this blog for a couple of years now. I have seen quite a bit of libel against Mark McAfee written here by far in comparison to any false statement he has made about anyone else. Furthermore, any false comments he may have made were not, from what I’ve read, directed at any person, but at a situation. There is a difference, particularly when it comes to the definition of the law in terms of the word, "libel."
I also know personally someone who has recently sued for libel and won. I didn’t agree with his stand on things, but writing false things about someone in a way that smears someone’s name, is illegal. Internet handles don’t insure anonymity. I for one, do not care to read the false and misleading statements. Mark’s suggesting that they are libel is not outrightly a warning, but from my point of view, he has every reason to sue those writing about him here, whether your post is your real name or not.
Posting careless facts does nothing to find the truth of the matter and makes the whole discussion pointless.
Gwen
It seems to upset some people.
Just got back from the pediatrician’s office where I saw a flier for BioGaia. Probiotics for infants & toddlers to "quiet digestive distress" like colic. Wow! I didn’t even know what probiotics were a year ago & now they are everywhere. I could have just told the Dr that raw milk has probiotics, but I didn’t want to "out" myself. She did tell me the two year old should be drinking low fat milk now. I just smiled & nodded. Here’s the website for BioGaia http://www.childrensprobiotics.com. They have a section called "Eat Dirt" and info about what happens to the immune system when people try to be super-hygenic.
"Effect of long term consumption of probiotic milk on infections in children attending day care centres: double blind, randomised trial "
It appears that the probiotics are a positive thing.
Also interesting is that this trial, which the authors touted as "the first to examine the long term effects of probiotic bacteria…" lasted just seven months. Long for this sort of research perhaps, but short in comparison to a natural lifetime. Chronic ingestion of probiotics over many years would certainly have even greater protective effects as they helped the body gradually build a more responsive immune system.
Now imagine adding in the effects of other natural interactions with microbes through skin, lungs, and mucosa…
My son got two bad ear infections in the winter after he weaned and was rarely sick prior (and only mildly at that). He was drinking raw cow milk at the time, so it would appear that the OP milk was not nearly as good as the milk I tailor-made for him. The cows didn’t share germs with him like I did. When the mother is exposed to the germ, she begins to make antibodies immediately and puts them in her milk.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have encouraged him to wean so young. He was four.
I would think that common sense tells us that "natural" is best. (I know, common sense isn’t so common). If 7 months showed improvement; than long term (years) should be even better. I read studies that showed flouride decreased thyroid function. Synthroid is one of the most common drugs dished out in the US. I wonder if there is a correlation? (said with tongue in cheek) Our bodies are assaulted in so many ways. Many doctors are also telling patients to consume yogurt with antibiotics. Unfortunately they don’t tell the patient what kind.
Amanda, I know some cringe on breast feeding for long periods (years). I think it is a personal choice. And again it is best for baby. My oldest is 32, when he was weaned, he continued to vomit the formulas. There wasn’t many choices back then. I tired of the vomiting and knew in my young mind that it was not a good thing,so cows milk is what he got at 6 months. My husband was in the military then and we moved often. He did fine on the cows milk (pasteurized) but from 2yrs to @ 4 yrs he had chronic ear infections. His sister was breast fed almost a year and she was rarely ill (rare runny nose). I think the chicken pox was the first illness she had at age 4. They also did not grow up with processed foods and rarely got bought babyfood. Nor were they in day care.
"Even with the numbers of ciguatera rising in South Florida, the CDC has not issued any warnings against eating grouper at this time. A warning of this kind could hurt a wide range of businesses as grouper is one of the more popularly eaten fish in many restaurants."
Does the CDC not realize what they are saying? Duh, hurting "businesses" is more importan than hurting the population? And I had thought they were SUPPOSED to be watching out for the public…
She never mentions raw milk, but many of her stories match the health improvements stories of raw milk drinkers. I think the people who frequent this blog would enjoy reading this book.
When I lived in Tampa, it was common for "boil water" alerts. If the water is contaminated, why would washing your hands,bathing,or brushing your teeth be exempt? Geesh, who’d want to brush their teeth in contaminated water? Does the water utility reimburse people for requiring them to buy bottled water?
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-crypto_26met.ART.North.Edition1.4d7e63e.html
Pools and water playgrounds have all kinds of pathogens and chemicals.
http://www.wkyc.com/news/world/news_article.aspx?storyid=93745&catid=22
http://www.heraldonline.com/opinions/story/707613.html
Of over 1300 ill people, only one pepper is "linked". The FDA continues to preform poorly. Since it is now known that it is impossible to tell were processed tomatoes come from, what assures us we can tell were the peppers come from? This fiasco has pushed many to utilize local farmers. The thought of forced food identification rests in my mind.
Will the tomato growers sue the govt? They were falsely accused and lost money.
It is annoying you (or a designee) used this handle. Apparently, we need to copyright it. LOL.
concerned reader (original)
You are so right! One pepper that came from where? If I recall correctly it was MEXICO. I think US growers should instigate a lawsuit for lost income and damages due to the recalls.(but then they probably already have a federal insurance program for that sort of thing – so they probably can’t sue)The fed covered themselves I’m sure.
If someone knows of another local Raw milk distributor in CT. please post it. I miss all the nutrition it gives me and my family of 5. We will wait for you, Towne Farm- to get thru this.
5 kids out of how many that enjoy the greatness of fresh raw milk? I say it’s an isolated problem. Maybe the kids had poop on their hands.
Take care and be healthy and wise. From a Mom in need of Raw goodness.
Anyways, I just spent a month and a half of my life in the hospital and nearly died leaving my toddler parentless… he was also breastfed still and so was brutally and abruptly ripped from his mothers breast and weaned… not to mention spent over a MONTH without seeing his mama to the point where he ran away not recognizing her when she FINALLY arrived home traumatized, muscles atrophied, limping, kidneys not functioning, bloated, cut, scarred, and bruised??? Would it be a minor problem if it was you…. or your daughter… your 2 year old (one of the other victims)…. or your 7 year old or your 27 year old child that you sat and watched suffer for over a month… still going? or if you lost over a month’s worth of income (when you already live paycheck to paycheck) like my parents, because you were sitting by YOUR childs bed 24 hours a day, sleeping in a chair and wondering if YOUR child would ever open their eyes again after suffering a massive seizure??? I’m with you on being against big industry farmingof all kinds but I tend to think you might have some very different things to say if this happened in YOUR REALITY, instead of mine……. I had seizures,lost over a week of memory from, had more blood transfusions and plasma swaps than I can count, lost out on twoish months of my son’s (and my) life, and have dealt with and am still dealing with more pain, suffering, indignitys, and trauma than most of you can imagine and have scars inside and out that may NEVER heal. I may be permanently disabled (going from being a COMPLETELY HEALTHY WOMAN),and my kidney’s may never function properly again, leading to god knows what and all most of you people can talk about laughing at people who choose to live their life a little outside of convention or the poor dairy? SOmeone at that "poor dairy" was negligent about something VERY SERIOUS…. and it almost cost me (still could) cost me my LIFE. When you hear about things like this in the future I hope you might think twice that those "4 people" are REAL PEOPLE…. like you….and your families…. your children, brothers, and sisters.
Thats all I have to say, have a good night and god bless.