I couldn’t have imagined devoting six months to researching unpasteurized milk. I did so in early June, when my report was published by ProPublica, and it highlighted Mark McAfee, the operator of the biggest raw-milk dairy in the US. The narrative emerged following numerous reports on the effects of the Trump administration’s policies in transforming the structure of federal health organizations. I and my peers conversed with numerous civil servants who recounted an atmosphere of apprehension where everyday science was being politicized. One significant illustration they divulged to me was raw milk, which majority of scientists and health professionals concur has no considerable, substantiated nutritional benefits compared to its pasteurized variant and exposes its consumers to more than 100 times the likelihood of foodborne illness. Nevertheless, under the governance of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., present and former public servants informed me that the federal stance towards raw milk was transitioning to coincide with his priorities. Kennedy stated that in his newly appointed position, he is promoting the cause and commemorated the launch of a federal report to revitalize American health with a toast using raw-milk shots at the White House. McAfee, who considers Kennedy among his clientele, has been supporting raw dairy for over 20 years. In the recent past, raw milk, which was previously known only to a select few, has become widely popular. Over 423 million Americans consume it, with national weekly sales increasing by 65% between 2023 and 2024. McAfee’s farm generates approximately $240 million annually. Moreover, it has garnered substantial attention: Authorities from the federal and state levels have associated his company with over ten recalls and incidents resulting in numerous sick individuals. The popularity of raw milk puzzled me: How was it able to establish itself in the US, considering the frequent occurrences of salmonella and E. coli outbreaks?
