Elizabeth Lee today reports in the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that to discourage people from drinking raw milk, the Georgia Department of Agriculture is proposing dyeing it charcoal gray.

The story says that raw milk can be sold as pet food in Georgia, if it is labeled appropriately. But it’s no secret that people buy the unpasteurized milk to drink themselves, to give to their children or to use in cheese-making.

The department, which notified pet dairy farmers of proposed changes Sept. 24, is said to be committed to making the change, although it is asking for comments through Oct. 24 and will make its decision Oct. 25.

Last month, the Greensboro News and Record reported on a new rule approved by the state Board of Agriculture in North Carolina outlining that unpasteurized milk sold as pet food must be dyed a charcoal-gray color and labeled as not for human consumption. The story explained that the charcoal color was chosen to clearly differentiate the product from standard milk and make raw milk unappealing to children.

Will charcoal dyeing catch on in other states where raw milk sales are permitted for animal consumption – Florida? Indiana?