US raw milk consumption spikes amid health warnings

Consumption of raw (un‑pasteurized) milk in the United States has surged, with more than ten million people now drinking it regularly. Weekly sales rose about 65 % between 2023 and 2024, propelled by wellness trends, growing mistrust of government regulators and explicit political support, including from Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The largest producer, Raw Farm owned by California farmer Mark McAfee, reports annual revenues around $30 million and says it subjects each batch to extensive laboratory testing for Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter and Listeria. Nevertheless, investigations by ProPublica found that some contaminated batches were repurposed for cheese making. Health experts stress that raw milk offers no proven nutritional advantages and poses a heightened risk of serious bacterial infections, especially for children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.