Investigating Raw Milk: A Comprehensive Report

Over the last six months, I immersed myself in investigating the raw milk industry. In June, ProPublica published my story featuring Mark McAfee, the owner of America’s largest raw milk dairy. This article emerged from extensive research into how the Trump administration’s policies were affecting federal health agencies. Conversations with numerous civil servants revealed a climate of fear where routine science had been politicized. One prominent example was raw milk, which lacks scientifically proven nutritional advantages over pasteurized milk and poses a significant risk of foodborne illness. However, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the federal stance on raw milk shifted to align with his priorities. Kennedy advocated for raw milk, even celebrating with raw-milk shooters at the White House. McAfee, who counts Kennedy among his customers, has championed raw dairy for decades. Recently, raw milk has gained mainstream attention, with over 10 million Americans consuming it. From 2023 to 2024, national weekly sales jumped by 65%, and McAfee’s farm generated approximately $30 million annually. Despite this success, the farm has been linked to multiple recalls and outbreaks, making hundreds ill.

I reflected on raw milk’s rise despite frequent salmonella and E. coli outbreaks. Speaking with McAfee was informative. My report chronicles an extensive tour of his farm, and I encourage reading the full story.

“I’m begging you to say: ‘This is not anti-science, this is extremely pro-science. … It’s using science that is not conveniently accepted yet.”

By definition, raw milk isn’t pasteurized, risking harmful bacteria exposure. Historically, it contributed to infant mortality before pasteurization became widespread. Today, experts agree it offers no substantial nutritional benefits and heightens foodborne illness risk, especially for young children. Despite hygiene efforts, unpasteurized dairy inherently risks contamination. Extensive scientific reviews haven’t validated raw milk’s benefits, and experts advise against its consumption.

However, McAfee argues that his customers’ testimonials offer a different perspective, asserting that raw milk improves health. He criticizes the lack of government-funded research to assess its benefits.

“I’ve put a couple kids in the hospital, and they have been sick, but they recovered. … But here’s the thing: I’m a pioneer. And I’m going against the grain here. I’m climbing a mountain they say you can’t climb.”

Federal records show that McAfee’s farm was connected to E. coli outbreaks, including one affecting 7-year-old Chris Martin, who suffered permanent kidney damage. Despite McAfee’s initiatives for safer practices, outbreaks continued in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, and more recently, with salmonella infecting over 170 people. McAfee disputes many outbreak connections, arguing that regulatory practices aren’t definitive proof of his farm causing illness. Since 2006, eight outbreaks tied to McAfee’s farm have sickened 233 people, with 40 hospitalized.

“We have a red-flag system here, where if there’s anything that gets really out of whack, they can immediately tag the milk, and it doesn’t go to anything but cheese. … Because, you know, cheese is resistant to pathogens.”

Research disproves the notion that raw cheese is resistant to pathogens; harmful bacteria can survive maturation. McAfee confirmed that milk with pathogens was used for cheesemaking, excluding salmonella-affected batches. The FDA identified this practice, instructing the farm to halt production of cheese from contaminated milk.

McAfee claims to educate consumers about raw milk benefits, aided by online influencers. In January, the government dropped legal actions against the farm, reportedly deprioritizing raw milk cases due to Kennedy’s stance. Justice Department representatives echoed a commitment to public health protection, but didn’t respond to inquiries about the decision.

“They have the guns and the money. I got the truth and the moms.”

Federal regulators recently linked Raw Farm’s cheese to another E. coli outbreak, affecting nine people across three states, including children under five. The farm issued a recall “under protest,” denying responsibility. McAfee altered previous disclosures regarding milk diversification practices.

Subsequently, the FDA closed its investigation without enforcement actions. McAfee’s raw-cheese products returned to stores.