The CDC has recently issued a stern warning about the consumption of raw milk amidst a sweeping bird flu outbreak impacting dairy cattle across the United States. Federal authorities have identified the type A H5N1 virus in at least 42 herds across nine states, with Texas being one of the most affected. While there haven’t been any human cases reported this month in Texas, the presence of the virus in dairy cattle remains concerning.
Alarmingly, the FDA disclosed that high levels of the bird flu virus have been detected in raw milk from infected cows. Yet, despite these findings, the agency has assured that pasteurized milk is safe for consumption as the pasteurization process effectively eliminates the virus. Nonetheless, the demand for raw milk appears unshaken; sales have surged by 21 percent to as much as 65 percent in comparison to the same period last year, highlighting a robust consumer resistance to federal advisories.
Contrary to the government’s warnings, many liberty-minded individuals are standing firm on their right to choose what they consume. The CDC’s call to deem raw milk one of the “riskiest” foods has done little to dissuade this demographic. Recent statements from the CDC warned that drinking raw milk could theoretically expose individuals to the bird flu virus, particularly if it contacts receptors in the nose, mouth, and throat, or is inhaled into the lungs.
There is also the voiced concern that increased exposure to the virus could lead to mutations, potentially enabling easier human-to-human transmission. Regulatory approaches to raw milk vary greatly by state, with some states permitting retail sales in stores, while others restrict sales exclusively to farms. Additionally, some states support ‘cowshare’ programs which allow individuals to purchase milk from specific animals, and others limit consumption to farm owners, employees, or “non-paying guests.”
Despite bureaucratic pressure and fear-mongering, many Americans continue to exercise their freedom to access raw milk, emphasizing personal liberty over federal oversight. Raw milk drinkers account for about 4.4 percent of U.S. adults—nearly 11 million people—with 1 percent consuming it weekly, according to FDA statistics. Even with the CDC listing over 200 illness outbreaks and more than 2,600 infections linked to raw milk between 1998 and 2018, the choice to drink raw milk remains a staunch symbol of fundamental liberty for many in this country.
