News

Montana milk bill tabled

A bill which would have eliminated Montana’s rule on how long milk can stay on the supermarket shelf has died in committee. The state established a law in 1980 which says any milk in the grocery store more than 12 days past pasteurization must be removed and cannot be used for human consumption.

Proponents say it assures freshness while opponents say it is causing a lot of good milk to be discarded and it limits competition from out-of-state milk processors. They contend Montana retail milk prices are higher because of the law.

In the end, the bill to lift the 12-day limit was tabled by the legislature’s House Human Services Committee on an 11-6 vote.

Core-Mark International has sued Montana charging the law is in violation of the Commerce Clause and other clauses of the Constitution.

Usually milk has a “sell by” date that is 10 to 14 days after pasteurization depending upon fat content. If properly stored, milk is good for another seven to nine days after the “sell by” date.