Prominent Public Health Communicator: Don’t Overreact to Raw Milk

Studies linking raw milk legalization to increased illness measured raw outbreak counts without controlling for consumption. More recent research, adjusted for consumption volume, shows outbreak rates declining as legal access has expanded.

Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore City Health Commissioner, argues in The Washington Post that a broad anti-raw-milk crusade would erode public trust and distract from more important public health battles.

The three-bill package has cleared the House Government Operations and Rules Committees and is pending further House action.

The bill raises the on-farm raw milk sales cap from 100 to 1,500 gallons per month, permits advertising, allows farm-produced raw milk cheese, and mandates state-issued warning labels on all raw milk containers.

Raw milk foodborne illness is measured two ways in the epidemiological literature: per serving consumed and per consumer. Both metrics produce low absolute rates.

Judge rules against Like Wildflowers Homestead in its dispute with the Texas Department of State Health Services. The case continues to a June 29 hearing date.