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News
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its policy statement on raw milk, doubling down on its call for a nationwide ban on unpasteurized dairy products. Children make up nearly half of those sickened in raw milk outbreaks, and the AAP warns that claims about raw milk's health benefits are simply false. Pediatricians are now urged to ask families about raw dairy use and steer them toward pasteurized alternatives.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has refreshed its policy statement on unpasteurized, or "raw," milk — and the message is clear: don't give it to kids. The updated guidance, published in the November issue of Pediatrics, reaffirms the AAP's longstanding call for a nationwide ban on raw dairy sales, citing a growing body of evidence linking unpasteurized products to life-threatening illnesses in children, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals.
Despite popular wellness claims, the AAP says raw milk offers zero nutritional advantages over pasteurized milk — same protein, fat, and vitamins — while exposing consumers to pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter, and E. coli. The updated statement also flags H5N1 bird flu as an emerging threat, noting that raw milk from infected cows can harbor the virus for up to five weeks when refrigerated. Pediatricians are being asked to proactively screen families about raw dairy use and advocate for stronger state-level restrictions.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: With raw milk surging in popularity fueled by social media and wellness culture, the AAP's updated guidance is a critical counterweight. Pediatricians are on the front lines — and are now being called on to counsel families and push for stronger protections at the state level.
