January 2020 Edition
Dear Friend,
Welcome to the January 2020 edition of the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) Ripple. Herein you'll find information about the latest in the world of raw milk, including a new meta-analysis on the protective health effects of raw milk, the Interstate Milk Freedom Act, RAWMI training, and additional resources for raw milk education.
Meta-Analysis of Raw Milk Effects on Asthma, Allergies, and Infections
A recent issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice published a peer-reviewed meta-analysis of eight health studies related to raw milk. A meta-analysis is a quantitative statistical analysis which combines the results of multiple scientific studies, thereby allowing the researchers to derive overall conclusions about that body of research.
The November 2019 paper, titled “The Beneficial Effect of Farm Milk Consumption on Asthma, Allergies, and Infections: From Meta-Analysis of Evidence to Clinical Trial” was written by a team of researchers from the Netherlands and Germany. The meta-analysis concluded that, when taken as a whole, the body of data from the previous studies shows that raw milk consumption in childhood has a protective effect on asthma, current wheeze, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and atopic sensitization (allergies to environmental triggers).
When the previous raw milk studies were criticized, the detractors instead attributed the protective health effects to the farm environment rather than raw milk. However, the 2019 meta-analysis shows differently: “The effect particularly on asthma was observed not only in children raised on farms (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.82) but also in children living in rural areas but not on a farm (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74). This demonstrates that the effect of farm milk consumption is independent of other farm exposures and that children not living on a farm can theoretically profit from this effect.”
Interstate Milk Freedom Act HR 5410
It is currently illegal to sell raw milk across state lines in the United States. The FDA’s ban on interstate raw milk harms small farms as well as informed consumers, who purposely seek out raw milk for its health benefits and superb taste. The Interstate Milk Freedom Act HR 5410 seeks to prohibit federal interference with the interstate sale of raw milk. This bipartisan bill was sponsored by Representatives Thomas Massie (Republican from Kentucky) and Chellie Pingree (Democrat from Maine).
“Federal agencies, such as the FDA, that are part of the executive branch do not and should not have the power to shut down trade between peaceful farmers and willing consumers. It is Congress’s job to legislate,” said Rep. Massie. “Our Interstate Milk Freedom Act would make it easier for families to buy milk of their choice by reversing the criminalization of specific dairy farmers.”
“So many people across the country want to make sure their food is fresh and local—including fruits, vegetables, and even their milk,” said Rep. Pingree. “Raw milk is currently the only food banned for interstate commerce—an onerous regulation that hurts small farmers for selling milk straight from their cows to the consumer.”
It is time for the ban on interstate raw milk to be overturned. Ask your representatives to support HR 5410.
Northeast USA RAWMI Training
Studies have shown that raw milk has superb nutrition and protective health effects, but raw milk needs to be carefully and intentionally produced in order to ensure that it is a low-risk food. Through education, outreach, and research, RAWMI is working towards universal access to safe raw milk for everyone.
Earlier this month, RAWMI held raw milk training sessions at Rutgers University, the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) Massachusetts, and NOFA New York. These presentations focused on raw milk benefits as well as risk management for the production of safe, low-risk raw milk. 50 dairy farmers attended these three training sessions.
On February 6, 2020, RAWMI will be providing a 3&1/2 hour presentation on raw milk risk management at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) conference in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Mark McAfee, Sarah Smith, Dr. Joseph Heckman, and Edwin Shank will be presenting at this event.
International Milk Genomics Consortium Conference
The 16th International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) Symposium was held on November 12-14, 2019 in Aarhus Denmark. This conference focused on milk and health from a sustainability perspective, with a wide variety of presentation topics including environmental challenges in milk production, effects of breastmilk and ruminant milk on the gut microbiome, structure and function of milk, and the superb nutrition of whole foods versus supplements.
The Raw Milk Institute was an official sponsor of this IMGC Symposium and provided sponsorship to Dr. Joanne Whitehead in attending to present her peer-reviewed, published raw milk risk analysis poster depicting the positive impact of “high standards, farmer training and frequent testing” on raw milk risk reduction.
New Resources for Raw Milk Education
The Raw Milk Institute has developed several new resources for educating people about raw milk.
RAWMI’s letter to medical professionals about the benefits and safety of raw milk provides a comprehensive summary of the latest science on the nutritional and health benefits of raw milk, therapeutic use of raw milk, the negative impacts of pasteurization, and the safety of raw milk.
In response to a request from RAWMI LISTED farmers, RAWMI has also developed a new trifold brochure about the benefits of raw milk. This brochure can be used at the point-of-sale or online to increase awareness of the benefits of raw milk. Email sarah@rawmilkinstitute.org if you want to make use of this brochure.
LISTED Farmers Quarterly Meeting
RAWMI LISTED farmers are able to connect and share with other raw milk farmers during quarterly video conferences. At the most recent video conference, farmers from 11 RAWMI LISTED dairies discussed issues including challenges to exclusive grass-feeding, recent problems and lessons learned, marketing, and the erosion of the “organic” label.
Ancient Baby Bottles Reveal Ruminant Milk Being Fed to Children
Raw milk has been nourishing children for millennia! The oldest baby bottle-like vessel found thus far is nearly 8,000 years old. Recently, three independent lipid analyses of residue from ancient baby bottles has been performed. These analyses have provided evidence that ruminant milk (such as cow, sheep, or goat milk) was being fed to children thousands of years ago.
Take care all of you RAWMI producers, consumers and all of you interested in raw milk!