Governor vetoes Florez raw milk bill

Article from the Bakersfield Californian

The governor has vetoed a bill by state Sen. Dean Florez that would have created alternative requirements for dairy farms that produce and process raw milk for sale.

Florez, D-Shafter, said in a news release the bill addressed “misguided regulations” to hold raw milk to the same bacteria standards as pasteurized milk without acknowledging the healthy bacteria in nonpasteurized milk.

He said the rules “doomed” Californians’ access to raw milk.

Actor Martin Sheen and the chief operating officer of Whole Foods Market had urged Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign SB 201, according to Florez.

“This bill weakens food safety standards in California, something I cannot support,” Schwarzenegger said in his veto message.