Health authorities in New Mexico are raising alarms about the risks of raw dairy products following the death of a newborn, which officials believe resulted from a listeria infection contracted after the baby’s mother drank raw milk during her pregnancy.
The New Mexico Department of Health released a statement indicating that the mother likely consumed unpasteurized milk, leading to the listeria infection. However, they cannot determine the specific source of the bacteria that caused the baby’s tragic death. The statement emphasized the significant dangers raw dairy poses to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Dr. Chad Smelser, the deputy state epidemiologist, urged pregnant women to stick to pasteurized milk to prevent serious health issues for newborns. Pasteurization involves heating raw milk to eliminate harmful germs.
According to the health department, listeria is just one of several pathogens that can inhabit unpasteurized milk, potentially leading to severe health consequences such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and fatal infections in infants. The bacteria can also cause serious illnesses and even death in immunocompromised individuals.
Raw milk consumption exposes drinkers to a variety of dangerous pathogens, including bird flu, brucella, tuberculosis, salmonella, and E. coli, among others. Federal health officials have long advised against drinking raw milk, and since 1987, interstate sales of raw milk have been prohibited.
Despite these warnings, raw milk has gained popularity in recent years. Before joining the Trump administration, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed support for consuming unpasteurized dairy. Since taking up his role, though, Kennedy has largely avoided engaging with the topic, even as advocates have sought changes to federal regulations surrounding raw milk.
The Trump administration’s recent efforts to promote whole milk do not address raw milk specifically, yet some advocates remain optimistic about potential changes in policy. In September, a report titled “Make America Healthy Again,” released under Kennedy’s leadership, proposed new guidelines for improving children’s health. This included strategies aimed at facilitating small dairy farmers in selling their own milk, which Nestle hailed as a significant victory for those marketing whole or raw milk products.
