House Government Operations Committee Chair Brian BeGole this week led discussion on an issue affecting Michigan consumers and its vital agriculture industry.

Nearly 30 states permit the sale of raw milk in some capacity. In some countries, it can even be bought out of a vending machine. But regulation in Michigan requires all milk that’s sold to be pasteurized. This can ultimately impact those who operate small family farms and curtail consumers.

With demand increasing – evident by weekly sales of raw milk increasing by over 20 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year according to some estimates – a series of bills before BeGole’s committee would allow for the sale of raw milk by dairy farmers directly to consumers. The plans include various safeguards that any sold milk comply to standards for packaging, temperature, and more.

“Legally, a parent could take their kids to get fast food with foods that are highly processed and have dyes three times per day, but a farmer who wants to sell natural product in the form of milk from a cow to a willing consumer can’t do that under our laws,” BeGole said. “I thought this was an incredibly enlightening discussion. We want to make sure we’re standing up for people’s livelihoods in our state and this is a critical issue for many farmers.”

Ashley Armstrong, who owns a farm in southwest Michigan, noted to the committee that people can currently consume raw fish or cookie dough without layers of bureaucracy, and that consumers should have similar freedom when it comes to choosing milk products.

“In those cases, the government doesn’t ban access. It provides information and allows adults to decide for themselves,” Armstrong said. “Raw milk has somehow become political. At its core this issue is bipartisan, because it supports small farmers rather than large industrial food corporations while also respecting consumer freedom of choice. Why shouldn’t adults be allowed to purchase farm-fresh foods they believe are healthier for them, while fully understanding and accepting the risks?”

Armstrong noted that farm-fresh foods, including raw milk, provide benefits for many people with digestion and food intolerance issues.

House Bills 5217-19 remain under consideration in the House Government Operations Committee.