Mark McAfee is breathing a lot easier today than he was just 24 hours ago. So much so, in fact, that he’s predicting with a "high level of confidence" that Organic Pastures’ raw milk will pass the second, and deciding, test tomorrow carried out by the Fresno County Health Department, to test the milk’s somatic cell count. If and when that happens, he’ll be free to sell his milk again. (For further background, see previous post from earlier today.)
One of the things that has him feeling better is that several state and local authorities have been in touch with each other about his situation. McAfee says his lawyer reported that representatives of the California attorney general’s office conferred with representatives of both the Fresno County Health Department and the California Dairy Herd Industry Association (DHIA). One of the maddening things about this situation has been that the county’s measurements of somatic cell counts have been widely at odds with the DHIA’s, which has shown Organic Pastures to conform with state requirements.
DHIA uses highly sophisticated and carefully calibrated equipment to do its testing, versus the county’s manual microscope approach. McAfee says DHIA verified its tests of his milk twelve times, and each time he met the state requirements. Moreover, he has developed an automated system whereby he can track the measurements of each of his cows. So when the county does its tests tomorrow, he will know the history of the cows whose milk is tested and can feel confident about what the measurements should be.
Another development that has McAfee feeling good is the outpouring of support he has received from customers and other supporters alike. He estimates he has received 3,000 emails from customers expressing support, as well as upset that they don’t have their milk. As one example, Heidi Henderson writes, "It has been really hard on our family going without your milk. Since your product is our only source of raw milk, we are really desperate to have it back on shelves at our health food store ASAP. Do you have an expected date of availability?"
Well, right now, McAfee is betting that Heidi will have her milk within a few days.
Recent Comments