Venice Store Accused Of Selling Unpasteurized Dairy Products Without Permit

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — James Stewart, owner of Rawesome Foods in Venice, was arraigned Thursday morning in downtown Los Angeles.

The district attorney's office says undercover investigators purchased unpasteurized goat milk, cheese and yogurt from Stewart's store last year.

While it's legal to manufacture and sell unpasteurized dairy products in California, the state says businesses need licenses, permits and regular veterinary inspections. In addition, sanitation standards must be met.

Prosecutors say Rawesome Foods has been in business without a business permit or license for more than six years.

Naturalnews.tv video shows agents loading up products and taking them away from the store earlier this week.

Prosecutors say Rawesome's milk, dairy and egg products are supplied by Healthy Family Farms in Santa Paula.

They say the farm has been operating since 2007 without any type of business permit or license showing their animals and equipment are safe.

Arraignment for Sharon Palmer, who owns the farm, has not yet been scheduled. Her employee, Eugenie Bloch, was arraigned Thursday.

Prosecutors say members of the farm are required to purchase dairy products in parking lots after hours and agree to a contract that doesn't recognize government health standards.