Netflix romance sparks raw milk debate

Love is Blind contestant John Shannon, an account manager, disclosed he drinks unpasteurized milk from a farm. His date Sarah Williams, a public health professional, said no to the habit.

“"Is that safe?" one of Williams' friends asked after Shannon disclosed he consumes unpasteurized milk from a farm.”

High profile figures promote raw milk

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., soccer star Erling Haaland and actor Gwyneth Paltrow have promoted raw milk in recent years.

What is raw milk exactly

Raw milk is cow's milk taken straight from the animal and rapidly chilled, unpasteurized and non-homogenized. It can taste creamier and slightly sweeter than traditional milk.

How pasteurization works

Milk pasteurization heats milk to at least one hundred sixty-one degrees Fahrenheit for at least fifteen seconds to kill harmful pathogens, then quickly cools it. This also extends shelf life.

What homogenization does

Homogenization forces milk through small openings under high pressure, breaking fat globules into tiny particles and distributing them evenly. This gives store-bought milk its smooth, consistent texture.

Dangerous pathogens killed by heat

Pasteurization kills listeria, salmonella, E. coli, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and the virus that causes bird flu. Healthy cows can shed these pathogens in feces during milking.

Raw milk outbreak data from CDC

From nineteen ninety-three to two thousand six, seventy three of one hundred twenty-one dairy-related outbreaks, or sixty percent, were caused by raw milk. Raw milk caused one thousand five hundred seventy-one illnesses.

Raw milk hospitalizations and deaths

Raw milk outbreaks from nineteen ninety-three to two thousand six caused two hundred two hospitalizations and two deaths. Pasteurized milk outbreaks caused thirty-seven hospitalizations and one death.

Raw milk hits children hardest

Raw milk product outbreaks disproportionately affected people under age twenty. About sixty percent of raw milk outbreak patients were younger than twenty, compared to twenty-three percent for pasteurized products.

“"Raw milk has great risks, especially for children, who experience more severe illnesses if they get sick," study co-author Dr. Barbara Mahon said.”

Raw milk infection risk multiplied

A two thousand seventeen study found people who consume raw milk products are eight hundred thirty-nine times more likely to experience illness and forty-five times more likely to be hospitalized.

Annual illness from unpasteurized dairy

Dairy consumption-related outbreaks cause about seven hundred sixty illnesses and twenty-two hospitalizations each year on average. Unpasteurized dairy products cause ninety-five percent of those illnesses.

Raw milk sales vary by state

Raw milk is illegal to sell across state lines. In states like California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania, in-state retail sale is allowed. In Massachusetts, farms can sell directly to consumers.

Pregnancy risk from listeria

Unpasteurized dairy is especially risky during pregnancy. Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and illness or death of a newborn. Public health authorities warn against consumption for young children, elderly and immunocompromised people.

Raw milk consumption in the US

Survey data shows about four percent of US adults reported drinking raw milk in the past year and about one point six percent reported frequent raw milk consumption.

Pasteurization preserves nutrition

A two thousand eleven analysis found pasteurizing milk reduced concentration of vitamins B twelve, C, B nine and E, but milk is not a strong source of those vitamins. Pasteurization increased vitamin A concentration.

“"There are some minor changes, but nutritionally, pasteurized milk is really, really close to raw milk," Gabriel Keith Harris, a food science professor at NC State university, said in two thousand twenty-five.”

Raw milk lacks digestive benefits

Raw milk does not contain probiotics despite claims by advocates. Enzymes found in raw milk have no proven role in digestion. Bifidobacteria cited as good bacteria actually indicates fecal contamination and poor farm hygiene.

Experts say risk outweighs benefit

David Mills, a food science professor at the University of California at Davis, said the risk-benefit analysis of drinking raw milk is a no-brainer.

“"We have lack of proof of a benefit, and we have overt proof of a higher rate of infection of the humans consuming it," he said.”

Shannon stops drinking raw milk

Since the Love is Blind episode was released, John Shannon said on social media that he no longer drinks raw milk after moving away from the farm that supplied it.