Real Raw Milk Facts

What are the health and safety issues associated with drinking raw milk? What are the LAWS GOVERNING THE SALE OF RAW MILK in your state? Find the answers to these questions and more.

Real Dangers of Raw Milk: Several families offered to share their stories on video to help raise awareness about the potential risks and negative effects on health from drinking contaminated raw milk. More about their experiences can be found on the Real Life Stories page

  • Kylee Young had a stroke and required a kidney transplant after suffering an E. coli infection in 2012.

  • Nicole Riggs developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection after drinking raw milk in May 2008.

  • Larry Pedersen had just turned one year old when he suffered an E. coli O157:H7 infection in 2008.

  • Mari Tardiff became ill with a Campylobacter infection after drinking raw milk in 2008.

  • Chris Martin developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in September 2006 after drinking raw milk.

  • Kalee Prue a 27-year-old mother of one, became infected with E. coli O157:NM in June 2008.

A group of scientists gathered together and compiled the best available information about raw milk to provide consumers with a better understanding of key health and safety issues associated with the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products.

Real Raw Milk Facts provides information about key topics such as how the food safety track record of raw milk compares with that of pasteurized milk and whether raw milk from grass-fed cows and goats on pasture is safer than milk from animals raised on grain. It also answers questions like, “Is raw milk a probiotic food?” and “Are raw milk cheeses safe?

The answers to these and more questions can be found in the Hot Topics section of this site.

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People should be able to buy raw milk if they want to, but we shouldn’t turn a blind eye to some of the food safety concerns.

Michael Pollan, Author

The Omnivore's Dilemma

Seattle Times, March 2010

Raw Milk in the News

Maine: Raw Milk Bill Dies

The Portland Press Herald reported that although a bill designed to deregulate raw milk sales died in April, "the issue...

Raw Milk Facts State by State

Click on a state in the map below to preview the state's Raw Milk Facts.

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