Experts warn of dangers in consuming raw milk and dairy products
Unpasteurized milk, cheese and other "raw" dairy products are unsafe to drink or eat, especially for young children and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to updated guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including raw cheeses, pose significant health risks according to updated guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The organization urges a ban on the sale and distribution of such products, citing their potential to cause life-threatening infections. Despite claims of superior health benefits, scientific evidence does not support these assertions.
The policy statement, published in Pediatrics, calls attention to emerging evidence that the H5N1 avian influenza virus may pose a new risk in connection with raw milk, which can harbor high concentrations of the virus for extended periods. The AAP emphasizes that the majority of illnesses linked to raw dairy consumption affect young individuals, particularly those under age 5.
Pasteurization, a process that has been utilized for over a century, effectively reduces these health risks without diminishing the nutritional content of dairy products. The updated guidance, which follows revisions in 2014 and 2025, highlights that the sale and distribution of raw milk products remain legal in at least 27 states.
Despite the documented dangers, these products can still harbor pathogens like Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Brucella, leading to severe illnesses, miscarriages, and even death, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals and those with compromised immune systems.
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