By now you’ve probably heard the controversy around raw milk, also known as unpasteurised milk. In recent months raw milk has become a major talking point on social media and in politics, with doctors repeatedly warning against its consumption, which can lead to infections (some life-threatening) from harmful bacteria present in unpasteurised milk.
The fact that drinking raw milk is up for debate might be surprising for anyone who has an elementary school education — or ever visited a farm — but in an era of misinformation fuelled by social media platforms like TikTok, it’s not so shocking.
WellnessTok has been largely responsible for popularising false claims that unpasteurised milk is more beneficial than pasteurised milk. A search of the term raw milk renders videos with thousands of views from tradwives all showing off their raw milk and expounding unsubstantiated health benefits.
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The search page also produces what seems to be a disclaimer from TikTok, shown at the top under a heading titled “Search Highlights,” which summarises the “different viewpoints” users share on raw milk. This disclaimer outlines “health risks” and cites videos from microbiologists and dieticians refuting unsubstantiated claims, but also lists the reasons why some users “support” drinking raw milk.
Despite this lengthy disclaimer, users are still producing content promoting the consumption of raw milk. According to a May 2024 report from the Associated Press, weekly sales of raw milk have increased up to 65% from the same time period a year ago.
The controversy has only been heightened by President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is one of the most outspoken public figures in support of raw-milk consumption, leading it to become a symbol of right-wing empowerment.
To eliminate confusion, we spoke to doctors, nutritionists, and dieticians to explain everything you need to know about raw milk, including health risks, alternatives, and more.
What is raw milk?
Raw milk, also known as unpasteurised milk, is the milk of an animal (usually a cow) that is not pasteurised prior to consumption. Invented in 1864 by Louis Pasteur, pasteurisation heats milk and other dairy products to a certain temperature for a certain amount of time to eliminate harmful pathogens that can be transmitted from animals. According to the American Dairy Association, pasteurisation does not affect the nutritional value or taste of the milk.
Jack Braha, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Allied Digestive Health, points out that pasteurisation has been used for more than 100 years. “This process helps reduce the risk of transmitting infections from the animal source to humans,” he says. “Before we employed the pasteurisation process, thousands of people died every year from infections due to ingesting unpasteurised milk.”
According to the CDC, American federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines; each state has laws governing intrastate sale.
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Is raw milk better than pasteurised milk?
No, raw milk is not healthier or more beneficial than pasteurised milk. “There are some who made claims that raw milk is better for you, but these claims are largely false and not based on sound scientific evidence,” says Dr. Braha. “The multiple medical societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, endorse a ban on the sale of unpasteurised milk products.”
According to Amy Lee, a board-certified physician in internal medicine, clinical nutrition, and obesity medicine and head of nutrition at Nucific, pasteurisation can actually offer more nutrition than raw milk. “There is an assumption that anything not pasteurised is more natural. But in reality, they are pretty equal when it comes to benefits,” she says. “Pasteurised milk may contain fortified vitamins, minerals, and omegas that raw milk does not possess.”
What are the risks of drinking raw milk?
Serious health risks can come with drinking unpasteurised milk. “Raw milk has been associated with multiple infections, some of which could have serious health consequences or even be fatal,” says Dr. Braha. These infections include campylobacter, brucella, Listeria monocytogenes, salmonella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Who can drink raw milk?
Doctors warn against drinking raw milk for everyone, no matter your age and health. Due to the infections that can occur, “individuals who are prone to infection or immunocompromised should not drink raw milk,” says Dr. Lee.
Dr. Baha adds that children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to infection and should not drink unpasteurised. “For those planning pregnancy, certain infections like listeria can lead to miscarriage or significant illness to the newborn baby,” says Dr. Baha.
No matter your condition, drinking raw milk is strongly advised against overall. “Even if you are healthy, you are still at risk for infections and serious consequences of drinking raw milk,” Dr. Baha continues. “Because of these risks, the FDA has mandated that all milk and milk products are pasteurised before final sale.”
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Why do people believe raw milk is beneficial?
Given the serious health risks involved, why is raw milk becoming more popular? “There is plenty of disinformation on the internet and social media suggesting that raw milk is better and safer than conventional milk,” says Dr. Baha. “This is not based on sound scientific evidence, and multiple studies show no benefit of raw milk compared with conventional pasteurised milk. In fact, raw milk places patients at higher risk of developing serious infections.”
To combat misinformation, Dr. Baha does not recommend raw milk to any of his patients, while Dr. Lee encourages her patients to educate themselves. “I recommend doing research, especially if there are underlying health conditions for the individual, as there are increased risks from raw milk based on the type of condition,” she says.
Raw-milk alternatives
Here’s what you can drink without putting your health at risk. “There are multiple ways to gain the nutritional value of milk in our diets,” says Dr. Baha. “For patients that do not wish to drink animal milk, we recommend alternative plant-based milks that are fortified with necessary vitamins and nutrients.”
When in doubt, always seek guidance from a health professional. “It is important that patients consult with their physician, especially for pregnant moms, infants and children,” stresses Dr. Baha.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR (US).
