MAQUOKETA-Milk is known to build strong bones but it’s also causing controversy in Iowa.  Debates continue to pour into state houses and court rooms over the sale of raw milk. However, the cups of consumers hoping to purchase or sell raw milk may remain dry for quite some time.

Raw milk from the Heinrich's farm.

Based on product safety, courts have turned down requests to loosen the restrictions on unpasteurized milk sales to the public.

Owner and operator of Heinrich Farms, Joe Heinrich says, “The reason pasteurization came about was because, you wanted to get some of these impuritiess out that were causing some health problems.”

Although many dairy farms filter the milk after milking Heinrich says the step of pasteurization is key in ensuring a safe and healthy product.  He says, “I have a real concern as a dairy producer and a farmer one of my goals is to make sure I’m selling a safe product and my concern with not having it pasteurized, by selling raw milk, we may not be selling as safe as a product that we otherwise could.”

Pasteurization is the process heating the milk to a high enough temperature to rid bacteria and pathogens that could contaminate the dairy. Those supporting the sale of raw milk are concerned with the decrease in milk’s natural nutrients after pasteurization however; Heinrich says it’s a minimal loss.

Joe Heinrich in his daily routines.

“The big thing that I see is the misconception that pasteurization actually makes the milk a poorer quality but it really doesn’t at the end of the day and I think people really have to realize that a lot of these things are done with modern technology…it’s something we want to do to make sure our consumer isn’t getting sick from our product.”

Heinrich feels it’s unlikely for the courts change their minds on the issue at this time.