As concerns about the spread of bird flu in dairy cows intensify, public health officials are raising alarms about the potential risks associated with consuming raw milk.
This growing threat has prompted experts to advise Americans to steer clear of unpasteurized dairy products, highlighting the dangers that could arise from drinking milk that hasn’t undergone the pasteurization process. The latest developments underscore the need for caution, especially in light of recent tests that have confirmed the presence of live bird flu virus (H5N1) in milk taken directly from sick cows.
Despite these warnings, a surprising trend has emerged among raw milk enthusiasts. Instead of heeding the advice of health officials, many are doubling down on their consumption of raw milk, seemingly undeterred by the potential risks.
In fact, sales of raw milk have surged dramatically since H5N1 was detected in U.S. dairy cows at the end of March. According to data from market research company NielsenIQ, raw milk sales have increased by as much as 21 percent. This is a significant uptick, especially when compared to the same time last year, where sales shot up by as much as 65 percent.
The surge in sales, despite the looming threat of bird flu, has puzzled some experts. William Schaffner, MD, an infectious-disease specialist and a professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee offers an explanation for this counterintuitive behavior.
“It’s a paradoxical effect,” says Dr. Schaffner. “If people anticipate scarcity or possible restrictions, then a line forms. I think there’s a sense of, ‘We better get some and enjoy it now, because we might not be able to in the future.’” This reaction, he suggests, may be driving the increased demand for raw milk, as consumers fear that it may soon become harder to obtain.
What Drives the Passion for Raw Milk?
The appeal of raw milk is not new, and its popularity has been growing steadily in recent years, largely due to the endorsements of wellness influencers and celebrities. Prominent figures like Gwyneth Paltrow, who is associated with the wellness brand Goop, have touted the purported health benefits of raw milk, often framing it as part of a “natural” lifestyle.
This trend has gained significant traction online, with videos featuring the hashtag #rawmilk amassing hundreds of millions of views, according to an analysis by the research center Media Matters for America.
Supporters of raw milk often point to its potential health benefits, arguing that it is a superior alternative to pasteurized milk. The Raw Milk Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the safety and quality of raw milk through farmer training, is one of the leading advocates for this view. Their website highlights research studies that suggest raw milk may have antiviral properties and other health benefits. However, this perspective is not without controversy.
Dr. Schaffner acknowledges that some research may suggest benefits of raw milk but urges caution. “Some research may suggest benefits of raw milk. But we still have to balance this against the risks. The public health record is very clear: Outbreaks of bacterial infections continue to occur from time to time among consumers of raw milk,” Dr. Schaffner says.
His concerns are grounded in historical data, which shows that from 1993 through 2012, there were 127 disease outbreaks in the United States linked to raw milk or raw milk products such as ice cream, soft cheese, or yogurt. These outbreaks resulted in 1,909 illnesses and 144 hospitalizations, highlighting the potential dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
Given the current situation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are issuing strong advisories against the consumption of raw milk, particularly in light of the bird flu threat.
How Safe is It to Drink Pasteurized Milk?
These agencies emphasize that pasteurization is a reliable and proven method to make milk safe for consumption, as it effectively kills harmful microorganisms.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also weighed in, assuring the public that the commercial milk supply poses no risk to consumer health despite the ongoing bird flu outbreak. They reiterate the pasteurization has consistently deactivated microorganisms, including those that cause salmonella, E.coli, listeria, and campylobacter.
Before the United States began adopting pasteurization in the early 1900s, milk was a frequent carrier of bacteria responsible for tuberculosis, diphtheria, severe streptococcal infections, typhoid fever, and other foodborne diseases.
Recent testing by the FDA further supports the safety of pasteurized milk. As of May 10, samples of pasteurized milk sold at retail locations have tested negative for live H5N1, reinforcing the effectiveness of pasteurization in neutralizing the bird flu virus.
No Evidence Yet Connects Raw Milk Consumption to Bird Flu in Humans
Despite the mounting evidence supporting pasteurization, some advocates of raw milk remain skeptical. Chairman of the Raw Milk Institute, Mark McAfee, calls the recent public health warnings unfounded.
“There is yet to be one case of avian influenza in humans from raw milk consumption,” he argues. He points out that while two Americans have tested positive for H5N1 this year, those infections were linked to direct exposure to sick dairy cows in Texas and Michigan, not from consuming raw milk.
While it is true that no cases of bird flu in humans have been directly linked to drinking raw milk, health officials remain cautious. Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, can be life-threatening.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that H5N1 has caused 463 deaths worldwide between 2003 and April 1, 2024. Although the chances of a bird flu outbreak among people in the U.S. appear to be low at present, the potential risks cannot be ignored.
Dr. Schaffner supports the federal government’s precautionary measures, citing past instances where illnesses spread from consumers of raw milk to close contact who were not consumers.
“From time to time, these illnesses spread from consumers of raw milk to close contacts who are not consumers,” he says. “These infections have the potential to spread into the community, so that’s a public health concern.”
As the debate over raw milk continues, public health officials are urging caution. While the allure of raw milk may be strong for some, the risks associated with its consumption, especially in light of the bird flu outbreak, cannot be overstated.
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