Why a blue state embraced raw milk, despite bird flu and other health risks

DOVER, Del. – The mood in the Delaware General Assembly chamber was jovial last Thursday night as lawmakers considered legislation to legalize the sale of raw milk. There were udder puns and moo sounds. A Democratic member took the floor to ask whether the Ol’ Dirty Bastard lyrics “Ooh, baby, I like it raw” were written about the bill. And there was a standing ovation when, after eight minutes of debate, it passed 39-2.

You wouldn’t have known that raw, unpasteurized milk has exposed people to dangerous salmonella, listeria and E.coli bacteria – or that scientists are increasingly concerned that the H5N1 bird flu virus could be transmitted to humans through the product. It never came up.

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