https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-in...-americans-understand-drinking-raw-milk-risky
U Penn survey shows only 56% of Americans understand drinking raw milk is risky
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Today at 4:02 p.m.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Foodborne Disease
The survey involved 1,700 adults during the first weeks of February this year, and its findings are statistically unchanged from APPC's July 2024 survey.
Only 4% of survey respondents report having consumed raw or unpasteurized milk in the past 12 months, while another 2% are not sure whether they had drunk raw milk.
Avian flu risks not understood
Since April 2024, avian flu virus has been detected in raw milk samples taken from four states, but only 17% of those polled know that bird flu has been found only in raw milk, and not pasteurized milk.
"Two percent incorrectly say bird flu has been found only in pasteurized milk, 7% say it has been found in both, 7% say it has been found in neither, and over two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) are not sure," the researchers wrote.
In July 2024, 15% of those polled said drinking raw milk increases your risk of being exposed to avian flu, and in the most recent poll that number rose to 22%—the same proportion reported in November 2024.
Uncertainty about health benefits, food safety
While most people do not drink raw milk, they are unclear if there are significant health benefits to consuming unpasteurized dairy. Though pasteurization does not change the nutritional value of milk, 59% of poll respondents said they are unsure if raw milk is more effective than pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis.
Similarly, 54% are not sure if raw milk helps asthma sufferers, and 47% are not sure if raw milk strengthens the immune system.
Nearly half of poll respondents—45%—said they were unsure if children were more at risk from the viruses and bacteria found in raw milk.
Children, older people, and immune-compromised people are all at increased risk from foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Listeria, and Brucella, if they drink raw milk.
Raw milk has become a questionable "wellness" practice popular with some Americans who believe that the heat applied during traditional pasteurization strips milk of many health benefits. The Food and Drug Administration has debunked many of these claims, including the claim that drinking raw milk will cure lactose intolerance.
US, state regulations
Selling raw milk across state lines has been illegal in the United States since 1987, but 30 states allow statewide trade.
Among poll respondents, 24% favor the interstate sale of raw milk, and a slightly larger group (28%) opposes it. And 32% said that federal government regulations of unpasteurized milk are "another example of unnecessary government intrusion in people’s lives."
The margin of sampling error plus or minus 3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, the authors of the poll state.
U Penn survey shows only 56% of Americans understand drinking raw milk is risky
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Today at 4:02 p.m.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Foodborne Disease
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania shows that 56% of US adults know that drinking unpasteurized, or raw, milk is less safe than drinking pasteurized milk, but there have been no significant changes in public perceptions of raw milk in the past 6 month, despite detections of H5N1 avian flu virus in unpasteurized milk.The survey involved 1,700 adults during the first weeks of February this year, and its findings are statistically unchanged from APPC's July 2024 survey.
Only 4% of survey respondents report having consumed raw or unpasteurized milk in the past 12 months, while another 2% are not sure whether they had drunk raw milk.
Avian flu risks not understood
Since April 2024, avian flu virus has been detected in raw milk samples taken from four states, but only 17% of those polled know that bird flu has been found only in raw milk, and not pasteurized milk.
"Two percent incorrectly say bird flu has been found only in pasteurized milk, 7% say it has been found in both, 7% say it has been found in neither, and over two-thirds of those surveyed (68%) are not sure," the researchers wrote.
In July 2024, 15% of those polled said drinking raw milk increases your risk of being exposed to avian flu, and in the most recent poll that number rose to 22%—the same proportion reported in November 2024.
Uncertainty about health benefits, food safety
While most people do not drink raw milk, they are unclear if there are significant health benefits to consuming unpasteurized dairy. Though pasteurization does not change the nutritional value of milk, 59% of poll respondents said they are unsure if raw milk is more effective than pasteurized milk at preventing osteoporosis.
Similarly, 54% are not sure if raw milk helps asthma sufferers, and 47% are not sure if raw milk strengthens the immune system.
Nearly half of poll respondents—45%—said they were unsure if children were more at risk from the viruses and bacteria found in raw milk.
Children, older people, and immune-compromised people are all at increased risk from foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Listeria, and Brucella, if they drink raw milk.
Raw milk has become a questionable "wellness" practice popular with some Americans who believe that the heat applied during traditional pasteurization strips milk of many health benefits. The Food and Drug Administration has debunked many of these claims, including the claim that drinking raw milk will cure lactose intolerance.
US, state regulations
Selling raw milk across state lines has been illegal in the United States since 1987, but 30 states allow statewide trade.
Among poll respondents, 24% favor the interstate sale of raw milk, and a slightly larger group (28%) opposes it. And 32% said that federal government regulations of unpasteurized milk are "another example of unnecessary government intrusion in people’s lives."
The margin of sampling error plus or minus 3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, the authors of the poll state.