Online FAX Petition - Ask Your Representative to Co-Sponsor HR 1830
Bill Allowing Interstate Shipment of Unpasteurized Milk

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS - Rep. Ron Paul on May 11, 2011

Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that allows the shipment and distribution of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption across state lines. This legislation removes an unconstitutional restraint on farmers who wish to sell or otherwise distribute, and people who wish to consume, unpasteurized milk and milk products.

Hard as it is to believe, the federal government is actually spending time and money prosecuting small businesses for the ''crime'' of meeting their customers' demand for unpasteurized milk! Recently the Food and Drug Administration conducted a year-long sting operation targeting Rainbow Acres Farms in Pennsylvania. As a result of this action, Rainbow Acres' customers will no longer be able to purchase unpasteurized milk from this small Amish farm.

Mr. Speaker, many Americans who the government wishes to deny the ability to purchase unpasteurized milk have done their own research and come to the conclusion that unpasteurized milk is healthier than pasteurized milk. These Americans have the right to consume these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment about what products best promote health. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk, those concerns should be addressed at the state and local level.

I urge my colleagues to join me in promoting individual rights, the original intent of the Constitution, and federalism by cosponsoring my legislation to allow the interstate shipment of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption.

ALERTS | NEWS | BILL HISTORY | BILL DETAILS

ALERTS

19 Jan 2012 - Urge your Rep to Protect Raw Milk!

28 Sep 2012 - Support Food Freedom Now!

9 Sep 2011 - HR 1830 Co-Sponsored by Chellie Pingree of Maine

22 Jun 2011 - Protect Raw Milk & Local Foods

10 May 2011 - Rally for Food & Farm Freedom in DC May 16

NEWS

13 Mar 2011 - Open Letter to FDA's Dairy Head, John Sheehan: Why Hide Serious Government Data on Raw Milk Drinkers? 

22 Feb 2012 - CDC Cherry Picks Data to Make Case Against Raw Milk

23 Jan 2012 - Obama Administration says, "No raw milk for you"

7 Dec 2011 - Conflict over Raw Milk Escalates

3 Aug 2011 - Rawesome Food Buying Club Raided Again

3 Aug 2011 - Tucker Adkins Dairy Asks FDA for Reputation Back

22 Jun 2011 - Government Data Proves Raw Milk Is Safe

18 May 2011 - Success! Rally for Food & Farm Freedom

17 May 2011 - Will Rally for Food Freedom

 3 May 2011 - Consumers Defend Their Farmer Against Tyrannical FDA

29 Apr 2011 - FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Amish Farmer Dan Allgyer

BILL HISTORY  

5/13/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Health

5/11/2011:  HR 1830 introduced in the House by Rep. Ron Paul of Texas (CR E858) and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

BILL DETAILS

ALERTS | NEWS | BILL HISTORY | BILL DETAILS

H.R. 1830 - Bill Summary & Status

PURPOSE & TEXT -

To authorize the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk and milk products that are packaged for direct human consumption.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. INTERSTATE TRAFFIC OF UNPASTEURIZED MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS.

(a) Sale Allowed- Notwithstanding the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264), and any regulations or other guidance issued under such Act or section, a Federal department, agency, or court may not take any action (such as administrative, civil, criminal, or other actions) that would prohibit, interfere with, regulate, or otherwise restrict the interstate traffic of milk, or a milk product, that is unpasteurized and packaged for direct human consumption, if such restriction is based on the determination that, solely because such milk or milk product is unpasteurized, such milk or milk product is adulterated, misbranded, or otherwise in violation of Federal law.

(b) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

     (1) The terms 'interstate traffic', 'milk', and 'milk product' have the meanings given those terms in section 1240.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

     (2) The term 'packaged for direct human consumption' means milk and milk products that are packaged for the final consumer and intended for human consumption. Such term does not include milk and milk products that are packaged for additional processing, including pasteurization, before being consumed by humans.

     (3) The term 'pasteurized' means the process of heating milk and milk products to the applicable temperature specified in the tables contained in section 1240.61 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), and held continuously at or above that temperature for at least the corresponding specified time in such tables.