The Iowa Senate passed its raw milk bill on Wednesday, 36-14. Senate File 315, the “freedom milk bill” as referred to by Republican Sen. Jason Schultz, allows for on-farm production and sale of raw, unpasteurized, ungraded milk. It limits the size of farm and methods of distribution so the bill can meet the “niche market demand” and require strong local connections between the producer and consumer.
Producers must do testing and keep the tests on record for three years. Consumers are allowed to review the testing records. Producers may deliver raw milk to consumers, but not at a place of business where food or food items are sold for retail. Containers holding raw milk or raw milk dairy products will be required to have certain labeling.
Local boards of health and HHS may demand test results as well, but may only do so based on a doctor’s affidavit that someone was made ill.
Forty-five states have access to raw milk in some way, Schultz said. Iowa is one of just five states that outright forbids it.
Of the top 10 dairy states in America, five have retail sales of fresh raw milk, four allow on-farm sales and one allows herd shares.
Democrat Senators Tony Bisignano and Izaah Knox voted with every Republican in support of the bill.
