Calls Grow to Legalise Raw Milk Sales in Ireland
Dublin: Calls to permit the sale of raw (unpasteurised) milk in Ireland have resurfaced, with Independent TD Barry Heneghan urging the government to review the current restrictions. He argues that adults should have the freedom to decide whether to purchase untreated milk, provided they are fully informed of the potential health risks.
The Dublin Bay North TD questioned why products that carry known health risks can be legally sold while raw milk remains heavily restricted.
“I think the argument that you can legally buy certain products but not raw milk has resonated with many people,” Heneghan said, adding that adults in a free society should be allowed to make their own informed choices.
He also referred to his family’s experience, recalling that his grandmother regularly drank raw milk and lived to the age of 98, while running a shop on Malahide Road.
Food Safety Concerns
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) continues to advise against consuming unpasteurised milk, warning that it may contain harmful bacteria capable of causing serious illness.
The authority says the greatest danger is for pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses, who are more vulnerable to severe infections.
Most milk sold in Ireland is pasteurised, a process that eliminates harmful bacteria while preserving nutritional value.
However, supporters of raw milk argue that some consumers prefer untreated milk for traditional, nutritional or taste-related reasons and believe they should have the option to purchase it legally.
Irish Samachar English