New Web site serves as a clearinghouse on raw-milk data

In the last month alone, two of the largest distributors of raw (unpasteurized, unprocessed) milk in the Northwest, PCC Natural Markets and Whole Foods, announced plans to discontinue the sale of raw milk altogether. The reason, they said, was that many experts, including government officials and scientists, warn that raw milk is a high risk food that potentially contains a wide variety of harmful bacteria–including Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella–that may cause illness and possibly death.

State laws in California, Washington state, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, however, allow raw milk and raw milk products that meet state standards to be sold in retail stores. And proponents say it is more nutritious, tastes better, and is no more harmful than pasteurized milk. Read More…