Pediatricians Advise Against Raw Milk Consumption

New guidance warns parents and pregnant individuals that raw milk carries significant infection risks.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Organic Food

Flat gouache-painted editorial illustration of a single glass bottle of milk, standing on a wooden surface. — The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the consumption of raw milk, warning that unpasteurized dairy poses significant risks for bacterial and viral infections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you avoid consuming raw milk due to the reported risks of bacterial and viral infections?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new guidance formally recommending against the consumption of raw milk and raw-milk cheese, citing risks of infection. The organization is now calling for a nationwide ban on the legal sale of unpasteurized dairy products to protect children and pregnant individuals.

Why it matters

The updated policy seeks to address significant health risks, including bacterial infections and the H5N1 bird flu virus, which lack corresponding nutritional benefits in raw milk. This move aims to prevent avoidable illnesses that have historically tracked closely with states where retail raw milk sales are permitted.

Official AAP policy highlights that raw milk triggered 75 outbreaks between 2013 and 2018. Additionally, recent surveillance shows that 25 percent of raw milk samples from areas with 2024 cattle outbreaks contained infectious H5N1 virus.

The players

American Academy of Pediatrics

A professional organization of pediatricians that establishes health standards and policies for child development and safety.

The details

Pasteurization protects health by heating milk to precise temperatures, a process that effectively kills harmful viruses and bacteria. In contrast, H5N1 can concentrate in the udders of infected cows and remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five weeks. Because raw milk contains the same calcium and magnesium levels as pasteurized versions, the organization notes that consuming it provides no unique nutritional advantage.

2011: Research showed pasteurization only reduced vitamin B2 levels.
2013-2018: Raw milk caused 75 outbreaks across the U.S.
2014: The organization published its previous raw milk guidance.
2016 and 2019: Surveys measured American adult consumption of raw milk.
2024: Bird flu outbreaks were identified in U.S. dairy cattle.

Health Landscape

This policy strengthens the 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics raw milk guidance in response to evolving viral threats like H5N1. It highlights a clear divide between historical consumption patterns and modern safety standards for dairy products.

Pregnant individuals and parents of young children should be aware that raw milk carries a documented risk of listeriosis and other infections. If you have concerns about the safety of products in your home, it is worth discussing the risks of unpasteurized dairy with your physician.

The takeaway

Raw milk provides no nutritional superiority over pasteurized options and carries proven risks of bacterial and viral infection. It is safest to stick to pasteurized products, especially for those at higher risk, such as pregnant individuals or children.