Health officials are issuing desperate pleas to parents following the tragic death of a newborn from a listeria infection, a case they have directly linked to the dangerous and growing trend of consuming unpasteurized “raw milk” promoted by social media influencers and political movements.
The infant’s death in New Mexico is believed to have occurred after the mother consumed raw milk during pregnancy. The state health department stated the death “underscores the serious risks raw dairy poses to pregnant women, young children, [and] elderly… New Mexicans.” Listeria is particularly lethal to newborns, with a 20-30% mortality rate, because it can cross the placental barrier.
Despite these known dangers, raw milk has seen a resurgence, heavily promoted online as “liquid gold.” Influencers like Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm—with over 10 million followers—have posted videos of themselves and their children drinking directly from cows, claiming benefits for skin and health. Notably, Ballerina Farm recently paused its raw milk sales after state health inspectors found violations during routine testing.
The Science vs. The Hype
Experts are forcefully debunking the wellness claims. “Even if it’s a clean dairy, or the animals look healthy, you cannot guarantee that raw milk is clear of pathogens,” said Dr. Kali Kniel, a microbial food safety professor at the University of Delaware. She cited a list of potential contaminants in raw milk, including bird flu, tuberculosis, salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
Kniel dismissed claims that pasteurization—a gentle heating process—destroys nutritional value. “Science has shown we are not losing the nutritional value during the pasteurisation process, definitely not to outweigh the risks,” she stated, attributing the trend’s popularity to post-COVID anxiety and misinterpreted European studies on allergies.
A Political Movement Fueling a Public Health Crisis
The push is not confined to social media. The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement and figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a self-described raw milk fan, have campaigned to legalize its sale and stop penalties for unlicensed producers.
In the face of this politically charged promotion, health experts are making an unambiguous, evidence-based stand. Kniel’s warning is blunt: “We need to try to protect everybody so it doesn’t happen again.”
