The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is telling families that unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other raw dairy products are unsafe, especially for young children and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. The updated AAP policy statement in Pediatrics, published online on Oct. 5, 2026, also renews the group's call for a ban on the sale and distribution of raw milk and dairy products, including raw cheeses.
Some parents buy raw milk because they believe it is more natural or more nutritious. The AAP's message is that the trade-off is lopsided: the statement says pasteurized milk offers the same health benefits as raw milk without the added risk of infection.
