It’s taken years, but the Iowa Legislature gave its final approval on a bill that would allow Iowa residents to buy fresh-from-the-farm raw milk.
After several failed attempts, the state Senate approved the final bill 37-13 and sent it to Governor Kim Reynolds for her signature. The bill previously passed the Iowa House with amendments. It allows producers to sell unpasteurized milk from their farms directly to Iowa residents, as well as cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other raw milk products.
“I call it the fresh milk bill,” says Senator Jason Schultz, the bill’s manager on the Senate floor. He told the Des Moines Register that he’s waited 17 years for a raw milk bill to get through the Iowa legislature.
The bill’s supporters say raw milk tastes better and has more nutrients. Opponents say it can contain bacteria that are dangerous to children and could spark a public health outbreak.
