North Carolina Senate to vote on raw milk sale ban

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Senate could vote as soon as Thursday on a bill that would outlaw the retail sale of raw milk. 

It’s a debate that’s pitting agriculture and health leaders against passionate raw milk advocates. For a long time in North Carolina, it’s been illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption. 

But a loophole in the law allows it to be sold as what’s called pet milk. 

Farming leaders said the risk of bird flu makes this the time to close that loophole. 

Farmers in North Carolina can legally sell raw milk as so-called pet milk – as long as it’s labeled not for human consumption. But many people drink it anyway, with some believing it’s more nutritious than pasteurized milk.