Food
Raw Milk & Pasteurized Milk
This page contains links to content about both pasteurized and raw milk from across the Food section of FDA.gov. There are links for videos, news, consumer information, guidance documents, and other industry information.
Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, or goats that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. This raw, unpasteurized milk can carry dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which are responsible for causing numerous foodborne illnesses.
Decades ago, pasteurization of milk was adopted as a basic public health measure to kill dangerous bacteria. This measure largely eliminated the risk of getting sick from one of the most important staples of the American diet.
On this page:
- Videos
- News and Events
- Consumer Updates
- Consumer Materials
- Guidance Documents for Industry
- Additional Industry Information
- Resources from Other Sites
Videos
The Dangers of Unpasteurized Milk
Los Riesgos de la Leche sin Pasteurizar
News and Events
- 02/22/2012
Federal government gains permanent injunction against raw milk producer - 07/16/2011
Foodborne outbreak associated with raw milk from Tucker Adkins Dairy of York S.C. - 03/26/2010
Public Health Agencies Warn of Outbreaks Related to Drinking Raw Milk - 03/01/2007
FDA and CDC Remind Consumers of the Dangers of Drinking Raw Milk - 12/16/2005
FDA Warns Consumers to Avoid Drinking Raw Milk
Consumer Updates
Consumer Materials
The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk Questions & Answers: Raw Milk Problems Digesting Dairy Products? Raw Milk Misconceptions and the Danger of Raw Milk Consumption - Testimony before the Committee on Rural Economic Development, Wisconsin State Assembly, March 10, 2010 (PDF - 67KB)
- Testimony before the Health and Government Operations Committee, Maryland House of Delegates, March 17, 2009 (PDF - 63KB)
- Testimony before the Health and Government Operations Committee, Maryland House of Delegates, March 15, 2007 (PDF - 55KB)
Guidance Documents for Industry
Guidance for Industry: Dairy Farms, Bulk Milk Transporters, Bulk Milk Transfer Stations and Fluid Milk Processors: Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance Voluntary Labeling of Milk and Milk Products From Cows That Have Not Been Treated With Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin Guidance for Industry: Standard of Identity for White Chocolate Guidance for Industry: Sanitary Transportation of Food
Additional Industry Information
Milk Safety Programs & Shippers List National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) Model Documents Coded Memoranda Miscellaneous Milk Safety References Dairy Grade A Voluntary HACCP Interstate Milk Shippers List - Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2011 (PDF - 5.4MB)
- Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2009 (PDF - 4.8MB)
- Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2007
