Global raw milk safety and consumption debate

Public health officials and regulatory agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom are raising alarms regarding the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk. In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on its sale following disease outbreaks, including a case in California where a toddler required intensive care after consuming contaminated goat milk from an unlicensed farm. This follows a reported 17.6% increase in raw milk sales in 2024, driven by social media trends and distrust in regulators.

In the United Kingdom, the Food Standards Agency has classified raw milk as a high-risk food. The agency issued specific warnings for vulnerable groups, including infants, the elderly, and pregnant women. While social media influencers promote raw milk for perceived benefits such as improved gut health and allergy prevention, health experts emphasize that research has not established a cause-and-effect relationship for these claims. The primary concern remains the risk of food poisoning from harmful bacteria.