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New Delaware law permits sale of raw milk. 5 things to know about drinking untreated milk

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New Delaware law permits sale of raw milk. 5 things to know about drinking untreated milk


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Delaware residents can purchase raw milk directly from local dairy farms, following legislation that took effect in September 2024. The law allows consumers to buy unprocessed, unpasteurized and unhomogenized milk directly from dairy producers with the proper permits.

The legislation aims to support Delaware’s dairy farms while providing consumers with more choices in dairy products. However, health officials emphasize the importance of understanding the risks and facts about raw milk before making purchasing decisions.

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What is raw milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized — a process that involves heating milk to a high temperature for a certain amount of time to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. Proponents of raw milk argue it is a healthier, more nutritious option than pasteurized milk. Some consumers believe raw milk contains beneficial enzymes, probiotics and more natural vitamins that are destroyed during pasteurization.

Pasteurization involves heating beverages to kill disease-causing organisms. This process was first applied to milk in the late 1800s to combat public health threats like listeriosis, typhoid fever and tuberculosis. Today, pasteurization is a standard practice in the dairy industry to ensure milk is safe for consumption.

Raw v. pasteurized milk: 5 things to know

Health officials at the FDA and CDC warn that raw milk can contain pathogens that can cause serious illness. The risks of consuming untreated milk far outweigh any potential benefits. Here’s what to know:

  1. Nutritional value: According to the FDA, pasteurization does not significantly change milk’s nutritional value. Both raw and pasteurized milk contain the same essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
  2. Safety considerations: The CDC and FDA warn that raw milk can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens that pasteurization normally eliminates. These include E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.
  3. Lactose content: If lactose intolerant, switching to raw milk won’t help. Both raw and pasteurized milk contain the same amount of lactose.
  4. Allergies: Milk allergies are caused by proteins that remain unchanged whether the milk is raw or pasteurized. Switching to raw milk will not prevent allergic reactions.
  5. Health claims: While some advocate for raw milk’s health benefits, scientific research has not confirmed any advantages of raw milk over pasteurized milk.

Raw milk and bird flu

Delaware’s law allowing raw milk sales comes as bird flu continues to spread across the country.

Dairy cattle, a significant source of human exposure to bird flu, play a key role in monitoring efforts. The virus’s discovery in dairy cattle across 16 states prompted the USDA to institute a proactive milk testing program. There are 15 dairy farms in the First State, as reported by researchers at the University of Delaware’s farm management program. Delaware joined the National Milk Testing Strategy earlier this month to ensure dairy products remain free of contamination.

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In December, officials found several wild geese infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, along Delaware’s coast in Sussex County. Although most healthy individuals recover from illnesses linked to contaminated milk or bird flu exposure, severe or life-threatening symptoms can occur. In January, the U.S. reported its first death from H5N1 bird flu. The victim, a Louisiana resident over 65 with underlying health conditions, fell ill after contact with wild birds and a backyard flock.

This story was written with contributions from USA TODAY reporter Karen Weintraub. You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.



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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

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“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

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“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

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PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

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Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say


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A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.

The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.

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According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.

Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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