Importation Rules for Raw Milk

[slbunge]

Thanks for taking the time to join us here.

Has there been any changes (relaxation or tightening) of the US FDA importation rules for importation and sale of raw-milk cheeses? Do you think US cheesemakers ever be allowed to sell young, raw-milk cheeses?

Similarly, is there anything afoot in the EU that suggests that raw-milk cheese production will be affected by the drive for uniformity in export policy?

[master cheesemonger/grocer]

No relaxation, no tightening. Nothing. More scrutiny, not because of raw milk issues, but because of bio-terrorism registration nonsense; documents; paper chases; young FDA and USDA officials acting like dedicated public servants with a cross to burn, trying to get themselves noticed in order to speed their ascent up the federal government service ratings number ladder. But there's just not enough of 'em to keep me from getting my hands on the cheeses I want. I've been doing this awhile.

No, we will never be able to legally retail young raw milk cheeses. The FDA will never let that happen. It could be worse; we could be in Australia.

No, thanks to your verbose cheesemonger and a few of his well-connected colleagues, the Codex Alimentarius has been thwarted. It is deep in a cave and no one can find it.