Raw Milk: Claims vs Food-Safety Evidence

Raw milk claims checked against FDA food-safety pages: outbreak data, who is most at risk, what the benefit claims rest on, and why pasteurization matters.

Content last updated October 22, 2026. This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Who should be most careful

The FDA says raw milk puts all consumers at risk, and that older adults, people with weakened immune systems, children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. [1] The FDA lists transplant patients and people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes among those with weakened immune systems. [2] If you are pregnant, the FDA says drinking raw milk or eating foods made from it can harm your baby even if you do not feel sick. [2]

If you or someone else becomes ill after drinking raw milk or eating a product made from it, or if you are pregnant and think you may have had contaminated raw milk or cheese, the FDA says to see a health care professional immediately. [2] For collapse, seizure or trouble breathing, call 911.

The claim as marketed

Raw (unpasteurized) milk is promoted as more nutritious, as a source of "good bacteria," as helpful for allergies and asthma, and as easier to digest. The FDA says it looked at these claims and that the perceived nutritional and health benefits of raw milk have not been scientifically substantiated, while the health risks are clear. [1] This page covers cow, sheep and goat milk, and foods made from raw milk. Information only; we do not promote or discourage any seller.

What the FDA found about each claim

Claim	What the FDA's review says	Strength of evidence
More nutritious	Research shows no meaningful difference between the nutrient content of pasteurized and unpasteurized milk. [3]	No good evidence of benefit
Contains helpful "probiotic" bacteria	The FDA says bacteria found in raw milk are not probiotic. [4]	No good evidence of benefit
Prevents or treats asthma and allergy	The FDA says a study often cited looked at farm milk, not raw milk specifically, and its authors said raw farm milk cannot be recommended as a preventive measure. [4]	Insufficient evidence; safety concern
Cures lactose intolerance	The FDA says raw milk does not cure lactose intolerance. [4]	No good evidence of benefit
Builds immunity	The FDA says raw milk is not an immune system building food and is particularly unsafe for children. [4]	No good evidence of benefit; evidence of harm
Milk allergy is caused by pasteurizing	The FDA says both raw and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins. [2]	Established (FDA statement)

These are statements from the FDA's review of the literature. We did not independently search for newer trials, so "Proper evidence not found" applies only to the sources we read.

Outbreak data as read

The FDA, citing CDC, says that from 1998 through 2018 there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, causing 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. [2]
The FDA adds that most foodborne illnesses are not part of recognized outbreaks. [2] The counts are therefore a minimum.
An older FDA compilation found at least 133 outbreaks from 1987 to September 2010, with 269 hospitalizations, 3 deaths, 6 stillbirths and 2 miscarriages. [3]
CDC data cited by the FDA show foodborne illness from raw milk especially affects children and teenagers. [2]

Germs and illness

The FDA lists germs that raw milk can carry including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and Campylobacter. [2] One complication of E. coli O157:H7 infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause acute kidney failure, especially in the very young or the elderly. [3] Because E. coli can spread from one child to another, the FDA says the risk is not only to the child who drank the milk. [1]

What pasteurization does

Pasteurization heats milk to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful germs. [2] The FDA also says raw milk produced under a HACCP food-safety plan is not made safe to drink by that plan. [4] Raw milk marketed for pets or animals is not safe for people to drink. [2]

Rules in the US

The FDA says it issued a regulation in 1987 prohibiting the interstate sale of raw milk, and that whether to allow sale within a state is for the state to decide. [1] This describes the FDA page as of March 2024. Rules differ by state and can change.

What a reader can safely do

Look for the word "pasteurized" on the label. The FDA says safe milk has it. [2]
If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, older, or caring for a young child, ask your clinician before eating any raw-milk product, including some cheeses.
Ask a clinician about gut or allergy symptoms rather than trying raw milk as a remedy. See Pasteurized vs Unpasteurized Foods and Raw Sprouts, Raw Milk and Undercooked Foods.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Children: Natural Ingredients for Babies and Children.

Frequently asked questions

Is raw milk healthier than pasteurized milk?

The FDA says the perceived health benefits have not been scientifically substantiated, and research shows no meaningful difference in nutrients. [1] [3]

Who is most at risk from raw milk?

The FDA names older adults, immune-compromised people, children and pregnant women as especially vulnerable. [1]

Does raw milk help allergies or asthma?

The FDA says the authors of a study often cited on this question concluded that raw farm milk cannot be recommended as a preventive measure. [4]

Does raw milk contain probiotics?

The FDA says bacteria found in raw milk are not probiotic. [4]

Why is raw milk dangerous in pregnancy?

The FDA says Listeria can cause miscarriage or illness or death of a newborn, and harm may occur even if the mother does not feel sick. [2]

References

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Safety and Raw Milk. Content current as of 2024-03-05. Read 2026-10-23.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk. Read 2026-10-23.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Raw Milk Questions & Answers. Updated November 1, 2011. Read 2026-10-23.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Raw Milk Misconceptions and the Danger of Raw Milk Consumption. Read 2026-10-23.

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.