BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's  ban on sales of unpasteurized milk will remain, after senators sided with arguments of safety over personal choice.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday against a House-approved bill that would have allowed sales of raw milk from farmers to the public.

Supporters of Rep. Stephen Ortego's bill say people should have the freedom to decide what they and their families drink. They equated raw milk to raw oysters, saying people eat at their own risk.

Opponents — including Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain — say the milk is unsafe because it doesn't go through the heating process designed to kill harmful bacteria.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says 30 states allow people to buy raw milk.

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