Amish Sting

The Amish have recently come under attack from the US government FDA. They are definitely going after them on behalf of big business who greatly lines their pockets. They are against organic and natural, not to mention healthier, sources of food. The government has chosen one Amish farmer to make an example out of. They are suing him for selling unpasteurized milk. While it is legal to sell it is illegal to sell and transport it across state lines. In a sting operation by the FDA that can only be described as entrapment they put in over 20 orders for his milk from the state next to his. For a simple smalltime farmer who doesn't make much money that was a rather substantial order. Upon delivery with a refrigerated truck the FDA sprang on him from their so-called safe house they set up. In the case they are also suing him for the costs of the operation which will definitely bankrupt him. They are not saying that his milk is unsafe only that he crossed state lines. He was sent a complicated legal document as a warning beforehand but they are simple people who probably wouldn't have understood it much. Before this he had only sold this milk locally. It has never harmed anyone and it has been tested and found entirely safe. When it is properly handled, refrigerated and given a proper expiry date it is entirely safe. There is definitely no threat to health when it is consumed rather quickly after milking. This farmer has a very clean operation and the milk is immediately refrigerated upon collection and sold rapidly. His cows are regularly inspected and seen by veterinarians. They are very healthy and are not given any kind of antibiotics or injected with artificial growth hormone. It is an entirely organic operation. As the Amish do not use electricity and modern technology/equipment if they don't have to pasteurization would be difficult for them to do. Hopefully he will be able to win the case by claiming it is against their way of life and religious freedoms.

Pasteurization is intended to kill all pathogens and germs that are harmful. Although it does also take away much of the vitamins and nutritional value in the process. It doesn't kill everything but greatly reduces any bacteria. The practice was officially adopted as a standard practice back in the 50s because of outbreaks and concerns of disease and sickness from milk. This was because industrial farms were very dirty, crowded, and unhealthy for the livestock. The milk was also regularly handled improperly and uncleany, refrigeration practices weren't as good. They milked the cows almost nonstop which causes sores and puss and blood to get into the milk. They also wanted to extend their revenue and the shelflife. They probably realized it didn't have the same nutritional value but their practices show they weren't really concerned with health. It was only when the public and government became concerned that things were changed. Unfortunately most of the public has been deliberately misled and misinformed about unpasteurized milk. Made to be fearful of it. Although today the greatest threat and cause of sickness from milk is pasteurized milk being refrigerated improperly or from passing its expiry date. Nothing at all to do with this farmer and his practices.