A group of people today are protesting the FDA policy against carrying raw milk across state lines. The Raw Milk Freedom Ride and Rally will leave south of Walworth, Wisconsin transporting 100 gallons of raw milk to a park in Chicago. There are a number of customers to be awaiting the delivery.
Participant Kathy Pirtle long suffered from chronic pain and digestive issues. At that time, the Illinois woman switched to grass-fed beef and raw milk, which she claims “saved my life.”
AUDIO: Pirtle on her road to recovery with raw milk (1:48)
Critics of unpasteurized milk say it can cause illness, birth defects, in some cases death.
The protesters are knowingly violating federal law by their action. “If people have any kind of interference with the police then so be it. But we are protesting the interference with our human rights and we need to demonstrate that this is wrong,” said Pirtle, referring to crackdowns on small farmers selling raw dairy.
An email to FDA public affairs on possible intervention was not returned. The agency website states, “the FDA has never taken, nor does it intend to take, enforcement action against an individual” who purchased and transported raw milk across state lines solely for his or her own personal consumption.”