outbreaks
Is Raw Milk Safe to Drink?
Raw milk — unpasteurized milk sold directly from farms — carries a significantly higher risk of foodborne illness than pasteurized milk. The CDC, FDA, and American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend against consuming raw milk, particularly for children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Why raw milk is higher risk
Pasteurization kills pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter that can naturally occur in raw milk. Without pasteurization, these pathogens can survive and cause serious illness. From 1998 to 2018, raw milk caused 202 outbreaks in the US, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations.
Current legal status of raw milk
Raw milk is legal to sell in about half of US states, with varying restrictions on where it can be sold (farm only vs. retail stores). Some states permit 'herdshare' arrangements that functionally allow raw milk distribution. Federal law prohibits raw milk sales across state lines. Regulations are changing frequently as states revisit these laws.
Track raw milk outbreaks automatically
Panko Alerts monitors CDC outbreak investigations and FDA advisories related to raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products. When an outbreak is linked to raw milk — or a recall is issued on an unpasteurized cheese — it appears in your feed the same day with case counts and affected states.
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