Pediatricians Urge Pregnant Women and Parents to Skip Raw Milk, Citing Listeria and Bird Flu Risks

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging families to avoid unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other raw dairy products, warning they are unsafe especially for young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The updated AAP policy statement was published online in the journal Pediatrics in October 2026, reinforcing strict safety guidelines across the healthcare sector.

Along with the consumer warning, the updated policy renews the organization's longstanding call for a ban on the sale and distribution of raw milk and related dairy items, including raw cheeses. Pediatricians emphasize that despite regulatory warnings, raw dairy products continue to pose preventable public health threats.

The primary drivers behind this firm medical stance are severe pathogens frequently linked to unpasteurized products. Health experts specifically highlighted the danger of Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause severe illness in pregnant women and infants, alongside concerns regarding the potential transmission of the bird flu virus through raw dairy.

Despite ongoing public health advisories, some parents choose raw milk under the misconception that it is more natural, wholesome, or nutritious than pasteurized alternatives. Proponents often seek out unprocessed farm milk believing it offers superior health benefits.

However, the AAP maintains that the unproven benefits of raw milk do not outweigh the substantial and documented health risks. Medical professionals strongly advise parents and caregivers to rely exclusively on pasteurized dairy products to protect vulnerable family members from foodborne illnesses.