State of Maine v. Dan Brown

[¶ 1] The State of Maine allows the direct sale of unpasteurized, or “raw,” milk from farmers to consumers. Dan Brown, a farmer in Blue Hill, has sold raw milk, dairy products, and other food items from a farm stand on his property and at local farmers’ markets. Despite requests by the State, Brown has refused to obtain a milk distributor’s license, refused to obtain a food establishment license, and refused to label his milk containers to advise consumers that they contain raw, unpasteurized milk. Brown contends that he is exempt from state licensing requirements because, eight years ago, a…