American Academy of Pediatrics calls for ban on raw milk products

The American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed a ban on raw milk products in the United States and urged pediatricians to ask local politicians to support one and lobby public health officials for tighter restrictions. In its policy statement, the group said raw, unpasteurized milk was linked to 75 outbreaks involving 675 illnesses, 98 hospitalizations and two deaths in the U.S. from 2013 to 2018. The statement said 48% of illnesses were in people younger than 20 years, and 14% were in children younger than 5 years. The authors said 27 states permit sales of raw dairy products.

The AAP also urged infants and young children, pregnant people, breastfeeding parents, adolescents and young adults to consume only pasteurized milk and dairy products. It cited recent U.S. outbreaks and the potential for raw dairy to carry bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria, as well as H5N1 bird flu. The statement said pasteurization does not reduce milk’s nutritional value and that claimed benefits of raw milk are outweighed by illness risks.