Is raw milk safe? A question we have been asked more than once. In fact, it is a question that keeps the argument over raw milk sales going. What we say is, “we’ve been milking and drinking raw milk for over 9 years”. We gave it to my husband 100 year old gram without any harmful effects. We’ve hear about every comment, technique, and handling method used by people and some have been quite shocking!
Let’s be honest though, the MAJORITY of people we know do everything they can to practice safe raw milk handling and wouldn’t dream of risking themselves or anyone else if they thought it wasn’t safe.
Montana is very strict on raw milk usage. It is legal for personal use ONLY and only among ‘close’ family members (meaning members living in your home). Raw milk is illegal to transfer to another for human consumption. Pet milk is illegal, goat shares aren’t legal, etc. Though technically, goat shares are not considered legal, the State of Montana has never taken anyone to court over goat shares. Strict right? Yes, but many of us still want raw milk and our only legal option is to have goats.
So this blog is about how we handle raw milk and some of the things you should think about before you get raw milk from anyone. Again, most of the people we know personally do everything in their power to keep their milk safe…..but there is always one out there that doesn’t.