The Advocate reported that Farmers’ efforts to sell raw milk in Louisiana died Wednesday in a state Senate committee.

Supporters of House Bill 1279 pinned on “I love raw milk” buttons, assembled information packets and gathered 800 signatures on a petition. They pitched their product as a cure for medical concerns, including osteoporosis and lactose intolerance. They lobbied legislators. They even suggested that God is on their side.

“When God brought the Israelites to the land of milk and honey, he didn’t tell them to boil their milk first,” Rocky Branch farmer Matt Napier told the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

However, the bill clashed with concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk.

State Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain predicted people would get sick from drinking raw milk. He said the health risk is 150 times greater than drinking pasteurized milk.

“We are charged, you and I, with public health, protection of public health,” Strain said.

Only one committee member voted in favor of advancing HB1279. Four others voted against it.