At the 2025 Rural Municipalities of Alberta convention, a resolution was officially backed, urging the federal government to permit the direct sale of raw or unpasteurized dairy products on farms. The initiative is led by a municipality in northwestern Alberta.
Since 1991, the sale of raw milk in Canada has been prohibited due to concerns about foodborne illnesses. Pasteurization, a process involving heating raw milk to at least 63 degrees Celsius to eliminate harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, has been the standard practice.
The Municipal District of Greenview, situated about 390 kilometers northwest of Edmonton, noted a significant demand for unpasteurized milk within the community despite the associated risks. Reeve Ryan Ratzlaff mentioned that many residents seek alternative revenue sources to sustain small farms and prefer locally sourced goods for independence from conventional markets.
The resolution calls for the controlled sale of raw milk to informed consumers, with specific conditions in place. It also advocates for provinces to establish frameworks encompassing producer food safety training, labeling mandates, traceability, on-farm supervision, and opportunities for direct sales programs in rural areas.
Although the resolution faces several regulatory hurdles, proponents argue that allowing raw milk sales is crucial due to its increasing popularity. The Canadian Artisan Dairy Alliance (CADA) representative, Golda David, emphasized the need for regulated sales to enhance safety, noting that Canada is the only G7 country with a total ban on raw milk.
Timothy Caulfield, a professor at the University of Alberta, stressed the safety benefits of pasteurized milk compared to raw milk, which has been a subject of misinformation on social media. He highlighted the success of pasteurization as a public health measure and debunked claims suggesting raw milk’s superiority in health benefits.
Advocates for raw milk, like David, propose measures such as health screenings for dairy cows and the availability of on-site testing kits for farmers to ensure safety. By implementing regulations, the risks associated with raw milk consumption can be mitigated.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Alberta reiterated its opposition to raw milk sales, citing the associated health risks that can only be addressed through pasteurization. Despite differing opinions, the discussion around raw milk sales continues, with the RMA 2025 fall convention set to commence in Edmonton.