An Ontario dairy farmer is appealing his conviction of producing, selling and distributing raw milk to the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Michael Schmidt, who farms northwest of Toronto, was charged in 2006 following an undercover police sting operation into his dairy business, which supplied 150 families with raw milk. Each family had paid $300 for partial shares in his 26 cows.

A ruling by a lower court acquitting him in 2010 was overturned and he was convicted and sentenced to one year probation and fined $9,150 for operating an illegal cow-share business.

The Canadian Press is reporting the Ontario Court of Appeal granted him leave to appeal July 26 after hearing arguments.

Health Canada says milk that hasn’t been pasteurized contains harmful bacteria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. Supporters of unpasteurized milk say it contains many health benefits.