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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-01

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill allows North Carolina farmers to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk products directly to consumers from their farms or farm stands, provided they meet strict health and safety requirements including annual veterinary inspections, regular bacterial testing, and proper labeling. Currently, North Carolina only permits the sale of pasteurized milk to consumers.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that raw milk consumers should have the freedom to choose what they consume, and that many people believe raw milk has nutritional and health benefits that pasteurization removes.
• •They contend that the bill's rigorous testing and labeling requirements—including bacterial limits, disease screening, and clear warning labels—protect public health while allowing consumer choice and supporting local farmers who can sell directly to their communities.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents argue that raw milk poses significant food safety risks, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, even with safety measures in place.
• •They contend that pasteurization exists because it prevents serious illnesses from pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, and that requiring warning labels shifts responsibility to consumers rather than preventing harm through the proven public health protection of pasteurization.