Raw-food crackdown went too far, defense attorneys say

[The Northerner]

The bust had all the makings of a major criminal investigation.

Ten law enforcement and regulatory agencies dedicated hundreds of hours of personnel to track the suspects. They used high-tech video equipment hidden on a utility pole for round-the-clock surveillance and undercover agents to make covert buys.

This wasn't a major narcotics trafficking investigation or an attempt to take out a violent street gang — it was a crackdown on what authorities allege was illegal trafficking of raw goat milk, cheese and yogurt.

The arrests this summer of a Ventura County farmer, her assistant and the operator of a Venice health food store called Rawesome have become a rallying cry for raw-food advocates, who have grown frustrated by what they describe as the government's hard line on nontraditional food sources.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-raw-milk-investigation-20111028,0,4560029.story

[The Doctor.]

1. Raw foods producers and consumers pick the pockets of the innocent

and struggling corporations of America.

One Raw foods producer can mean a difference of +/-.0001% profit per quarter which adds up to TENS of dollars that could have been divided among stockholders of agri-business.

Thank Goodness someone is looking out for the multinational corporations! (as they are instructed, of course)

Errr... I mean, "Good ole American" corporations. Yeah, that's the ticket.

[Selatius]

2. If they were running an unlicensed dairy farm, it's no one's fault but their own.

If it is licensed, then there would at least be inspections of the animals by vets and inspections to ensure cleanliness. Let the courts decide at this point.

[The Doctor.]

3. Right, which is why they needed a damned counter-terrorism operation to deal with them.

:eyes:

Seriously, did anyone stop by and say, "Hey, we have to cite you for operating without a license and close you down if you don't comply."

How about a nice simple court-order first.

What's going to happen when you get raided for the back yard garden from which you gave food to your neighbors?

Call me cynical, but this is part of the slow squeeze of Monsanto-like corps pushing out any and all competition.

[Selatius]

4. I think it's because the owner of the store pissed off some hot shot midlevel inspector.

This store is small fries in the big scheme of things. I agree. I think somebody had way too much time on their hands with an oversized ego.

[The Doctor.]

5. Way too much strife is because of insecure douchebags with a little power.

I remember when I waited tables decades ago. Some guy threatened to use his connections with the Sheriff's department to 'bring down the restaurant' because I wouldn't let him combine coupons.

I can't believe how petty some people can be.

In this case, I agree with licensing and inspections. But the writing's on the wall.

[starroute]

6. So "nontraditional food sources" = how people have eaten for 10,000 years

And traditional food sources presumably = the methods invented in the last 150 years.

Weird.

[jmowreader]

7. "Shipping food 4500 miles so you can eat strawberries in December"

= NOT how people have eaten for 10,000 years