FOOD
Wisconsin man argues right to sell raw milk
By Chris Hubbuch
La Crosse Tribune
VIROQUA, WI
Max Kane Farley thinks unpasteurized milk saved his life.
The Chicago native, who goes by Max Kane, was diagnosed with the digestive disorder Crohn's disease at age 10.
He suffered abdominal and joint pain. He had thin bones and only 110 pounds on his 5 foot 10 frame.
"I looked like someone who came out of a German concentration camp," Kane said.
After 13 years, he heard about the primal diet — raw meat, raw eggs, raw milk. He gained 80 pounds, and his symptoms went away, he said. He hasn't needed medication in five years.
He credits raw milk and has devoted himself full-time to promoting its benefits and helping others get it. He rode his bike 3,600 miles, mostly on a raw dairy diet.
The 32-year-old, who lives in Viroqua, founded a Chicago-based club through which members could buy unpasteurized dairy products.
That's put him at the center of a legal battle over the state's authority to regulate food sales.
The thirst for raw milk has been growing, attracting the notice of lawmakers and health officials. As a bill to legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk makes its way through the Wisconsin Legislature, the state is cracking down on black market sales.
Kane's case started in March, after the mother of an ill 16-year-old told health officials he'd drank raw milk she got from Kane's club, Belle's Lunchbox. Although tests did not link the illness to milk, Illinois officials notified Wisconsin officials.
Kane received a letter requesting details about his club, his providers, handling practices and licenses, as well as tax returns.
He sent a "cease and desist" letter stating the department had no jurisdiction over his club and accusing officials of violating the Constitution and state law. He threatened to sue.
The state subpoenaed him.
Kane will get his chance today in Vernon County Court to explain his position.
Raw dairy proponents say unpasteurized milk is tastier, healthier and easier to digest. It has been touted as curing everything from asthma to lactose intolerance and childhood behavior problems.
Federal and state officials say uncooked animal products are dangerous and can carry bacteria capable of causing illness and death.
"All it takes is a fleck of manure on a cow's teat and you've got contamination," Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Donna Gilson said.
Raw milk advocates say the benefits far outstrip the risks.
Twenty-eight states allow on-farm sales of raw milk. In nine, consumers can buy raw milk in stores.
The Department of Agriculture estimates a couple dozen Wisconsin farmers sell raw milk.
Copyright ©2009 The Appleton Post-Crescent. All Rights Reserved.
Wisconsin man argues right to sell raw milk
By Chris Hubbuch
La Crosse Tribune
VIROQUA, WI
Max Kane Farley thinks unpasteurized milk saved his life.
The Chicago native, who goes by Max Kane, was diagnosed with the digestive disorder Crohn's disease at age 10.
He suffered abdominal and joint pain. He had thin bones and only 110 pounds on his 5 foot 10 frame.
"I looked like someone who came out of a German concentration camp," Kane said.
After 13 years, he heard about the primal diet — raw meat, raw eggs, raw milk. He gained 80 pounds, and his symptoms went away, he said. He hasn't needed medication in five years.
He credits raw milk and has devoted himself full-time to promoting its benefits and helping others get it. He rode his bike 3,600 miles, mostly on a raw dairy diet.
The 32-year-old, who lives in Viroqua, founded a Chicago-based club through which members could buy unpasteurized dairy products.
That's put him at the center of a legal battle over the state's authority to regulate food sales.
The thirst for raw milk has been growing, attracting the notice of lawmakers and health officials. As a bill to legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk makes its way through the Wisconsin Legislature, the state is cracking down on black market sales.
Kane's case started in March, after the mother of an ill 16-year-old told health officials he'd drank raw milk she got from Kane's club, Belle's Lunchbox. Although tests did not link the illness to milk, Illinois officials notified Wisconsin officials.
Kane received a letter requesting details about his club, his providers, handling practices and licenses, as well as tax returns.
He sent a "cease and desist" letter stating the department had no jurisdiction over his club and accusing officials of violating the Constitution and state law. He threatened to sue.
The state subpoenaed him.
Kane will get his chance today in Vernon County Court to explain his position.
Raw dairy proponents say unpasteurized milk is tastier, healthier and easier to digest. It has been touted as curing everything from asthma to lactose intolerance and childhood behavior problems.
Federal and state officials say uncooked animal products are dangerous and can carry bacteria capable of causing illness and death.
"All it takes is a fleck of manure on a cow's teat and you've got contamination," Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Donna Gilson said.
Raw milk advocates say the benefits far outstrip the risks.
Twenty-eight states allow on-farm sales of raw milk. In nine, consumers can buy raw milk in stores.
The Department of Agriculture estimates a couple dozen Wisconsin farmers sell raw milk.
Copyright ©2009 The Appleton Post-Crescent. All Rights Reserved.
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