Kansas Senate Bill 346 (
SB 346) was introduced sometime on Friday, January 14, 2022.
The Senate Ag Committee has already set the matter for a hearing on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 8:30 am. We urge you to contact your state Senators and let them know you oppose this bill being rushed through like this, but also that you oppose the proposed changes to the law. If you can testify or submit written testimony, email the Committee assistant, ideally before Jan. 19 at 9:30 am central time. See details below in TAKE ACTION sections.
As way of background, you may recall that Kansas allows for the on-farm sales of raw milk. The State had regulated advertising which the court struck down as violating the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Then in 2020, legislation was introduced to further regulate labeling and advertising for the sale of raw milk in S.B. 308 (2020). Senate committee members worked with various stakeholders and after receiving feedback, proposed bill language that required a label on raw milk and raw milk products indicating that the product is not pasteurized. This version also required that any advertising not be “false or misleading.” This final version of S.B. 308 was not advanced because of the legislature’s closing as a result of COVID-19. In 2021, similar labeling language was introduced but did not advance.
There is no reason to introduce legislation that further regulates this safe and nutritious product. Yet this new bill, S.B. 346, would also require that the label include that raw milk “could contain bacteria that may cause foodborne illness.”
Most disturbing, the proposed legislation would permit the Secretary of Agriculture the ability to declare raw milk “an imminent health hazard” and take action. This provides the Secretary far too much discretion, and it is not at all clear that the law would prohibit the Secretary from deciding that any raw milk could cause “an imminent health hazard.”
Please see action steps below and share this alert with your friends and family in Kansas.
