Human consumption of raw, or unpasteurized, milk remains a significant public health concern. Raw milk can harbor dangerous pathogens, including E. coli, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Listeria, which pasteurization effectively eliminates. These pathogens can cause severe illness and, in some cases, death. This raises a critical question: Why Is Raw Milk Illegal in many places?
Federal regulations in the United States prohibit the interstate sale of raw milk. However, intrastate sales are governed by individual state laws, which vary considerably. Some states completely ban the sale of raw milk to consumers, while others permit it in retail stores or directly from farms. This patchwork of regulations reflects ongoing debates about food safety, consumer choice, and agricultural practices.
Adding another layer of complexity, an increasing number of states explicitly allow the distribution of raw milk through cow or herd share programs. These arrangements allow individuals to purchase a share in a cow or herd, granting them access to a portion of the raw milk produced. This bypasses direct sales prohibitions and creates legal avenues for raw milk consumption, even in states with strict retail regulations.
The trend toward increased legalization of raw milk access raises concerns among public health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations warn that increased access to raw milk could lead to a greater incidence of foodborne illnesses. A CDC study analyzing state raw milk laws and foodborne illness outbreaks linked changes in state laws to fluctuations in outbreaks. This highlights the ongoing public health challenge posed by raw milk consumption and the complex legal landscape surrounding its sale.
For further information on the public health implications and legal aspects of raw milk, refer to the CDC’s research on foodborne illness outbreaks related to unpasteurized milk and state law changes, available at Foodborne illness outbreaks linked to unpasteurised milk and relationship to changes in state laws – United States, 1998–2018 | Epidemiology & Infection | Cambridge Core.
