Kim Reynolds signs law allowing the sale of raw milk in Iowa

Iowans will be able to buy unpasteurized milk — known as "raw milk" — beginning this summer, under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Beginning July 1, producers will be permitted to sell unpasteurized milk, as well as cheese, yogurt, ice cream and other raw milk products, directly to Iowa consumers.

Iowa law previously allowed only Grade "A" pasteurized milk to be sold in Iowa. Raw milk is not graded.

Law will regulate raw milk production

Not just any Iowan with a cow will be allowed to sell raw milk.

The law defines a "raw milk dairy" as an operation with 10 or fewer milk-producing animals. The animals are required to have annual veterinary checkups, and the bacteria count of their milk must be measured monthly.

If the bacteria exceeds legal limits, the producer may not sell that milk or any of its byproducts.

Raw milk must be distributed within seven days after its production, and the law sets out regulations for storage. Containers must have labels saying the contents were not subject to state inspections or public health regulations that require pasteurization and grading.

Iowans will have to buy raw milk directly from a raw milk dairy, rather than from the store. People may not resell raw milk, under the law.

Iowa was one of 19 states that prohibited the sale of unpasteurized milk, according to Raw Milk Facts.

Opponents concerned about bacteria in raw milk

Supporters of Senate File 315 say raw milk tastes better and has more nutrients. Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, said he's been waiting 17 years for the Legislature to legalize the sale of raw milk — or "fresh milk," as he calls it.

Opponents say raw milk can contain bacteria that's dangerous to children and could spark a public health outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say raw milk is "one of the riskiest foods" and that it "can be contaminated with harmful germs."

The Iowa State Dairy Association, the Iowa Dairy Foods Association and the Iowa Public Health Association registered to lobby against the bill.

Rep. Megan Srinivas, an infectious disease doctor, voted against the bill's passage in the Iowa House, arguing that the testing requirements in the bill are not strict enough.

"Raw milk increases chances of infection by 150 times — 150 times," said Srinivas, D-Des Moines. She said it "leads to outbreaks that not only impact the people who are directly consuming the milk themselves" but others via the spread of bacteria.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, responded that Iowans with health concerns "don't have to buy it." He added that people have been "consuming fresh milk, free of government regulation" for thousands of years.

Donnelle Eller contributed reporting.

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com or at 410-340-3440. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.