Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteNo. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against raw milk. Pregnant people and children under 5 are at higher risk of serious illness from germs that can contaminate it. For babies, the guidance also depends on age: breast milk or infant formula is recommended from 6 to 12 months, and cow’s milk should not be given as a drink before 12 months.
What makes raw milk risky?
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. Pasteurization heats milk to kill disease-causing germs. Milk can look and smell normal and still carry harmful bacteria or other pathogens. Good farm practices can reduce contamination, but they cannot guarantee raw milk is free of germs.
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CDC lists Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella among pathogens that can be found in raw milk and products made from it. Illness may cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, or vomiting. In severe cases, infections can lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome or hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause paralysis, kidney failure, stroke, or death.
What milk is appropriate at each age?
Babies younger than 12 months
Do not give babies raw milk or other unpasteurized dairy. Cow’s milk is also not recommended as a drink before 12 months because it can pose health risks and does not provide the nutrients babies need. For babies 6–12 months, CDC lists breast milk or infant formula.
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Children from 12 months onward
From 12 months, caregivers may offer pasteurized plain whole cow’s milk or a fortified, unsweetened dairy alternative. Continue to avoid unpasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese.
During pregnancy and for children under 5
Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products, not unpasteurized ones. CDC identifies pregnant people and children under 5 as groups more likely to become seriously ill from germs in raw milk. Pasteurized milk retains milk’s nutritional benefits: CDC says, “Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption.”
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How much higher is the risk for these groups?
CDC’s figures describe risks associated with particular infections, not raw-milk-specific infection rates. In 2025, CDC stated that pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get a Listeria infection. In 2024, CDC stated that children younger than 5 are three times more likely to be hospitalized if they get a Salmonella infection. Neither figure estimates the chance of getting sick from raw milk.
Does farm source, organic labeling, or refrigeration make raw milk safe?
No. A trusted farm, an organic label, or refrigeration does not eliminate the risk of harmful germs. CDC recommends choosing pasteurized products and checking labels carefully. Keep perishable foods refrigerated at 40°F or colder; do not leave them out for more than two hours, or more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F, and discard expired or spoiled food. These handling practices do not make raw milk a recommended choice.
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What about H5N1 in raw cow’s milk?
In a CDC call transcript dated May 6, 2025, speakers said pasteurization inactivates H5N1 virus in raw cow’s milk and described exposure through raw milk as a theoretical risk at that time. They reported no confirmed cases attributed to raw-milk consumption as of that call, while still advising against raw milk because of other disease-causing germs and the potential for H5N1 exposure. That statement reflects the situation described in May 2025; it should not be read as a current case count or surveillance update.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you do after raw-milk exposure?
If a baby has consumed raw milk, or if anyone develops concerning symptoms after consuming it, contact a healthcare professional or local public-health authority for advice. Symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting can have many causes; a clinician can assess the person’s situation. Do not use formula, pasteurized milk, or another food as a treatment for exposure.
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