Raw Milk Bill Vetoed in Wisconsin
I am representing a man who was seriously sickened by raw milk contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria. My client contracted campylobacteriosis, which developed into Guillain-Barre syndrome. He became totally paralyzed, except for minimal movement of his head and the ability to blink his eyes. He was placed on ventilation equipment and is still unable to breathe on his own.
It is cases like this that Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle considered when he vetoed Senate Bill 434, which would have made it legal to sell raw, unpasteurized milk in Wisconsin. In his letter to the Wisconsin Senate regarding the veto, Governor Doyle stated the following:
I cannot ignore potential harmful health effects of consuming unpasteurized milk that have been raised by many groups, including: the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Wisconsin Public Health Association, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards, the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, the Wisconsin Medical Society, Marshfield Clinic, Gundersen Lutheran and the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association.
The sale of unpasteurized milk has become an increasingly contentious issue in Wisconsin and around the country. I recognize that there are strong feelings on both sides of this matter, but I must side with public health and the safety of the dairy industry. Therefore, I am vetoing this bill.
Raw milk is a dangerous product that should not be sold to the public. Virtually every health department, federal, state and local, recommends against its use. It is particularly dangerous for young children, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly. My client’s case tragically illustrates how unsafe raw milk is. I applaud Governor Doyle for protecting the people of Wisconsin from this dangerous product.
Tags: Food Poisoning Lawsuit
