PA Agriculture Secretary Says Raw Milk Sales Legal in Pennsylvania With Permit, Testing

May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
Original Article Here

Free Permits Available to Farmers

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agriculture Secretary
Dennis Wolff reminded Pennsylvanians that sales of raw milk and aged, hard
cheeses made from raw milk are legal in Pennsylvania with a permit and
inspections for public health.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized.
Pennsylvania farms selling raw milk must be permitted and have samples of
their milk laboratory tested due to the health risks associated with the
unpasteurized products.

Wolff said the public can find a list of permitted, legal raw milk
sellers in Pennsylvania at http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/pafoodsafety.

"Pennsylvania, unlike some states, allows the sale of raw milk and
certain raw milk products," said Wolff. "We recognize the potential risks
associated with raw milk, and have a responsibility to protect the health
and safety of all Pennsylvanians. That means ensuring that all raw and
pasteurized milk sellers, regardless of their customer base, are meeting
the standards of the law."

The Department of Agriculture inspects dairy farms for cleanliness and
sanitation, and requires testing be done on both the cows and milk for
harmful bacteria.

Dairy farmers can obtain the free permit from the Department of
Agriculture after passing inspections and tests showing they meet the
requirements of the law.