On a day that Oak Farms dairy recalled milk due to possible inadequate pasteurization, New Jersey residents are one step closer to buying raw milk in their home state.  The New Jersey Assembly this afternoon passed Assembly bill A-743 to legalize the sale of raw milk. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman John DiMaio, R-Warren/Hunterdon, received 71 yes votes, six no votes and one abstention.

The New Jersey Senate has not taken action on the proposal yet.

Under the Assembly bill, the non-pasteurized milk only could be sold at the farms where the raw milk is produced. The legislation also lays out specific testing requirements for the raw milk. State officials also would conduct health tests on the cattle used to produce raw milk.