The U.S. Camel Milk Industry 2015

Six years ago this month I first read about the health benefits of camel milk.  As a medical professional I was intrigued and felt it might be of benefit to my patients.  However, I was unable to find the milk for sale anywhere in the U.S.  I finally contacted FDA (Food and Drug Administration) officials, who informed me:

1.) It was illegal to sell camel milk in the U.S.

2. ) Anyone selling camel milk could be arrested, fined and possibly sent to prison.

I was informed by FDA officials that the law would have to be changed before any camel  milk could ever be sold in the U.S.  It was further explained that to change the law a proposal must be presented to the NCIMS (National Committee on Interstate Milk Shipments) who govern the sale of milk here in the U.S.  If my proposal was accepted I would then be allowed to appear before the FDA with my request; then it would be voted upon.  If my proposal was not accepted, it would be another 2 years before I could again present my request.  (The NCIMS meets once every 2 years.)  My proposal was accepted; I appeared before the FDA in the spring of 2009 and the law was adopted to allow for the sale of camel milk here in the U.S.

I was so excited and assumed that the milk would immediately be available in stores across the U.S.  Well, I was in for a surprise!!

1.) There were NO dairies set up to even milk camel.

2.) There were NO customers to buy the milk from the dairies.  No one was demanding or even knew about the milk.

3.) I was informed by the FDA that a test kit to test for antibiotic residue in the milk must be designed and then approved before any dairy could begin to sell their milk commercially.

Thus began my journey.  I was just one person.  I was not a big corporation with hundreds of employees or millions of dollars to get an idea across to the U.S. population.  I had to move a mountain by myself, so I began.  I realized that I would have to encourage camel owners to set up dairies and begin milking their camel.  I traveled across the U.S. trying to convince farmers to start milking.  The camel owners just laughed at me.  Many did not know that camel could even be milked.  Camel owners would say, “Camel can’t be milked.  No one will drink camel milk.  This is nothing but a fad, like the potbellied pig and emu oil.  We can’t make any money from selling camel milk.”  I assured them that this was not true.  I promised to help each dairy become established.  I finally convinced a young Amish farmer in Pennsylvania to start a small dairy with only 2 camel.  I promised to send him customers.  Except there were NO customers!

I knew that I had to develop a customer base for the dairies or they would all fail.  I contacted newspapers, television and radio and gave interviews about the camel milk and its health benefits.  Calls started to come in from people across the U.S. wanting to know where to obtain the milk.  The young Amish farmer struggled to meet the demand and immediately had to buy more camel for his dairy.  The word spread to camel owners across the U.S. and I began to receive calls.  “What is this I hear about milking camels?  Can I make any money selling camel milk?”  Each time I responded, “Yes!  I promise, I will make you rich!!!”  This is exactly what happened.  The sale of camel milk became so prosperous that all the dairies expanded and many farmers bought larger farms with the profits from the sale of the milk.

I then had to get the test kit approved to enable the dairies to sell their milk commercially.  I sold everything I could get my hands on to raise the funds needed for the approval of the test kit.  The lab fees were thousands of dollars.  I sold the furniture from my home, my car, and even my wedding ring, anything I could sell to obtain the funds needed for the lab fees.  Well, I did it!  I am told by FDA officials that I got the law changed, the dairies set up, and the test kit approved in the fastest time in the history of the milk industry in the U.S.  It took the goat industry 7 years for approval of their test kits, which was considered a short time, but I was finished and the test kit approved in less than 18 months!

Today just six short years later, there are camel dairies spread across the U.S.  The price of a camel has risen from $5,000 in 2009 to over $15,000 in 2015.  The camel milk industry is strong and thriving here in the U.S. with more dairies every year.  I encourage anyone who has a dream to follow their heart and believe in themselves, because one person really can move a mountain.

You can purchase camel milk from Desert Farms by clicking on “Buy Milk” on my Home Page on my website: http://www.camelmilkusa.com

 

Buying Camel Milk from a Grade A Dairy

Since starting the camel milk industry here in the U.S. I have received thousands of inquiries from concerned consumers.  They are concerned about the safety and sanitation of the milk.  A Grade A dairy is the ONLY choice I would ever make for myself or for a family member.  No parent of a sick child should ever consider buying camel milk anywhere else, except from a Grade A dairy.  Why?  Grade A dairies must meet very strict local, state and federal guidelines.  They are inspected on a regular basis and their milk is tested daily.  They are subjected to random inspections as well.  Random inspections are conducted without any notice to the dairy to ensure that on a daily ongoing basis all dairy operating procedures are upheld.  Sanitation is a number one priority.  All Grade A dairies must undergo daily testing for antibiotic residue in the milk.

There are quite a few dairies across the U.S. selling camel milk.  Many advertise that they test their milk once a week or once a month.  This is not acceptable.  Most take their milk to a facility to be tested and no agency is allowed on their property to inspect the milking procedures.  Grade A dairies are subjected to constant inspection.  Even the bottles, labels and milking equipment are closely inspected for violations.  As a medical professional I would never refer a patient to any dairy unless it was Grade A.  Most Grade A dairies sell raw as well as pasteurized milk.  I am happy to report that we now have several Grade A dairies across the U.S. selling camel milk.  Feel free to contact my office at 919-928-0821 for the name of a Grade A dairy.

You may purchase camel milk from Desert Farms by clicking on “Buy Milk” on the Home Page on my website, http://www.camelmilkusa.com