Raw Dairy in MO told to destroy all cheese . . . .

[newmochick]

Here is a link to a story in regards to FDA going after dairy farms selling cheese made from raw dairy:

http://hartkeisonline.com/2010/10/11/family-farm-ordered-to-destroy-50000-pounds-of-cheese/

 

[Farmfresh]

Since the vast majority of all cheese that is manufactured in Europe is made from un-pasteurized raw milk - is the FDA going to now stop that cheese from being imported as well? If not this seems much more like another government (or big corporation) attempt to run a small organic farmer out of business and not a true concern for the public health.

 

[Farmfresh]

http://cheese.about.com/od/cheesebuyingguide/a/raw_cheese.htm

Another tid bit of info 2009 raw milk cheese pdf

 

[freemotion]

Currently, raw cheese can be sold if it is aged for 60 or more days. So no raw chevre or soft cheeses or curds can be sold. Even if it is made from raw milk from an approved raw milk dairy.

We have the legal right to autonomy in the medical world...the right to choose or refuse treatment. Doctors and hospitals respect that right (mostly.) I view food as the same as medical autonomy. It is my health on the line. Harrumph!

I'm so glad I am in a situation where I can have goats and pigs and poultry....so far.

 

[old fashioned]

Sheesh....I wonder just how did mankind ever exist without the FDA?

 

[Boogity]

This is, and has been for some time, an EXTREME sore spot with me. The FDA is one more big gov. machine. The U.S. government has been trying, and succeeding, to grow and control every aspect of our lives for the past 30 years. They do not want anyone to be self sufficient.

Small self sufficient businesses are much harder to control than the big conglomerates by government officials. Especially when the big business leaders are big government appointees. Independent small businesses are, well - independent, and big government hates any kind of independence. Our present administration is the "poster child" for squashing the independence and self sufficiency in our country. Just give ALL your money and ALL your trust to the government and they will take good care of you. Yeah right!

 

[patandchickens]

Since the vast majority of all cheese that is manufactured in Europe is made from un-pasteurized raw milk - is the FDA going to now stop that cheese from being imported as well?

It has not been legal for decades and decades to import unpasteurized cheeses less than 60 days old. Consequently certain sought-after european cheeses are unavailable in the US.

The article linked to in the original post did not say WHY the cheese from this US farm was confiscated. What was the reason? The article sort of implies that it tested positive for some pathogen, but, is that it or something else?

Pat

 

[FarmerChick]

yea the article is vague on the reason for the FDA intervention

"As an exception, the FDA permits the sale of cheeses made from raw milk, so long as they are aged for at least 60 days; as a cheese ages, its acid and salt help destroy pathogens"------but also this rule of thumb is under scrutiny at this time.

the cheese even if aged less than 60 days would not just be destroyed unless something else is going on that the article didn't state.

just not enough info in the article for me to get a grip on what is the story behind this article.



FDA kinda works on a rule of "decision making regarding the risk factors of the type of food" it is evaluating. So who knows lol

 

[patandchickens]

If you follow the article's link to the dairy's rebuttal of the FDA charges, apparently the problem is that samples of cheese at some retail outlet or distributor tested positive for some pathogen (not clear to me what). The dairy disputes that they were the source of contamination, the manner in which the tests were conducted, and objects to being told to recall (i.e. destroy) all their cheese even lots that may test negative for the pathogen.

I have no opinion on this really, since it obviously hinges on a lot of facts that are not available to us; but it does not seem to be JUST a blanket "don't sell raw-milk cheese" thing.

Pat

 

[Blackbird]

There was an article and gosh darn if I can't remember what magazine it was in, but it was about the FDA arresting people for raw milk in the uses of not only cheese but also SOAP.
I'll have to dig it up and find a link.