More than 80 Americans fell ill from raw dairy products in the first half of 2026 alone, including outbreaks in Idaho, Louisiana, and California. The illnesses have renewed scrutiny of raw milk's safety — and the scientific consensus on pasteurization is clear, even as debate about access and deregulation continues at the state and federal level.
In Idaho, nearly 60 people became ill after consuming raw milk from two separate dairies since May 19, 2026, with at least 45 confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis — a bacterial infection that can cause bloody diarrhea, fever, and prolonged cramping. In Louisiana, local officials identified a separate cluster of illnesses among raw milk consumers, bringing the combined 2026 U.S. total well past 80 cases in fewer than six months.
