I am writing in response to an article that appeared in the Prince George Citizen on Saturday, Oct 23 entitled "Milk battle on between owners, Northern Health" which covers Northern Health's cease and desist order in regard to providing raw milk to cow-share members of the Hunny Do Ranch.
To begin with, I am not a member of the cow-share program, nor do I currently drink raw milk, but have grown up drinking raw goat and cow milk.
I believe in the nutritional benefits of unpasteurized milk and think consumers should be able to research the pros and cons and be given the choice to drink this product if they so wish.
There are risks associated with everything we consume, in regard to food contamination, and it only goes in saying that raw milk must be collected in clean environments, from healthy animals that are properly fed and housed.
It seems strange to me that the sale of unpasteurized milk, which is a natural food, is illegal; yet consumers can legally purchase and consume products which are full of chemicals, fillers, flavourings, additives and preservatives, many of which are known to be harmful, in varying degrees, for consumption.
Many foods which are for sale in grocery stores also have a risk of contamination, yet the public is seldom informed about recalls or allergy alerts in these products.
It is left up to individuals to research and seek out specifics regarding products themselves - check for recalls at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/recaltoce.shtml.
I also noticed an error in the article which states that federal government legislation requires the pasteurization of all milk products.
According to Health Canada cheeses made from raw milk are legal to produce and sell.
There are many websites and resources which cover the disadvantages and the benefits of consuming raw milk.
I feel it is the right of individuals to determine whether they want to consume unpasteurized milk as part of their healthy diet.
They should not be deterred from doing so, from dairy stock that is owned wholly or as part of a co-operative.
U. Marshall
Prince George
