As Americans increasingly turn to raw milk, recent disease outbreaks linked to the product have raised concerns among public health officials.
Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics urged for a ban on unpasteurized milk sales in the United States.
Doctors attribute the rise in raw milk consumption to various influencers advocating its supposed health benefits, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US health secretary, who had previously endorsed it, alongside a growing distrust in government regulators.
However, public health groups, including the FDA, assert there is no scientific backing for claims that raw milk alleviates lactose intolerance or can cure allergies. They emphasize that while raw milk advocates argue pasteurization diminishes flavor and health benefits, the process is crucial for safety.
Petra Levin, a biology professor at Washington University, voiced concern, stating that while drinking raw milk doesn’t guarantee illness, there’s a significant risk of pathogens that could cause sickness.
In the late 19th century, US businesses began pasteurizing milk to eliminate harmful microorganisms. This change, along with regulatory requirements, contributed to a notable reduction in infant mortality rates. Although the FDA banned the interstate sale of raw milk in 1987, individual states have laws permitting local sales.
Over the years, more Americans have shifted towards consuming raw milk, and many states have relaxed their regulations in recent times. A report indicated a 17.6% rise in raw milk sales in 2024.
Prior to his role as health and human services secretary, Kennedy made claims about only drinking raw milk and suggested that the FDA’s efforts to control public health would diminish, particularly regarding raw milk.
He even took a sip of raw milk on camera with Dr. Paul Saladino, a psychiatrist and author, but later seems to have distanced himself from advocating for it. Currently, the Trump administration has switched its focus to promoting whole milk.
Ben Beichler, who founded Creambrook Farm in Virginia with his wife, now milks 150 cows and sells raw milk through a legal loophole that allows consumers to share ownership of a cow.
He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic fundamentally changed his business as more people became interested in self-protection from illness.
Moreover, he observed a growing societal skepticism, which he believes wasn’t as prevalent before the pandemic. This skepticism has led many to reassess their dietary choices, though he’s not entirely convinced that this questioning is beneficial.
Since 2020, Beichler reported annual sales increases of 30% to 50%.
Proponents of raw milk, like Beichler, point to studies dating back to 2011 that suggest farm milk consumption may provide protection against asthma and allergies. However, the FDA argues that the findings have been misinterpreted since roughly half of the milk mentioned in the study had been pasteurized. The authors themselves cautioned that they couldn’t definitively separate the effects of raw versus pasteurized milk because verification of raw milk status wasn’t available.
The study concluded that raw farm milk consumption cannot be recommended for preventative health measures.
To ensure safety, Beichler’s farm conducts tests on every batch of milk, sending samples to a third-party laboratory, details of which he will provide upon request.
His farm enjoys excellent reviews online, with one review praising them as “an honest and wholesome family providing safe and nutrient-dense milk to the many people who are drinking raw milk these days.”
Despite his strong belief in raw milk’s benefits, Beichler emphasized the need for consumers to be prudent about their sources.
This summer, over 100 individuals became sick after consuming raw milk, with 11 requiring hospitalization. Reports noted that an E coli outbreak this year in California, Florida, and Texas was linked to cheese from Raw Farm, the largest raw milk distributor in the country, with many of those affected being young children.
Dr. Brian Dawes, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford, highlighted that raw milk poses particular hazards for children due to their more vulnerable immune systems. He advocates for a raw milk ban and expresses concern over the need to restore public confidence in regulatory systems that have been effective for over a century in keeping milk safe.
