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White House declines support for interstate raw milk sales

The White House, responding to an online petition on its "We The People" page, has declined to support a move to allow interstate sales of unpasteurized milk, Obama Foodorama has reported.

The petition, signed by more than 6,000 people, asked for legislation enabling raw milk products to be sold and distributed across the country, and cited health benefits the organizers said are not available in pasteurized milk products.

The response denying support for the measure, written by Doug McKalip, senior policy adviser for rural affairs, cited "well documented" health risks from drinking unpasteurized milk, especially for young children, and linked to an FDA report on the issue.

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a Republican presidential candidate, supports a liberalization of raw milk laws. That position, according to news reports, boosted his popularity in New Hampshire, but not enough for him to win that primary on Tuesday.

Mainstream dairy farmer and processor groups oppose a liberalization in the sale of raw milk out of fear that outbreaks of illness could cause consumers to reduce all dairy consumption.