Raw milk, unpasteurized and rich in natural nutrients, is already legal in several states, including Wyoming, under specific conditions, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Now, with discussions under the Trump administration about potentially legalizing raw milk sales nationwide, the debate over its benefits and risks is heating up.
At Little Acres Farm in Lovell, Wyoming, raw milk production is a family affair. Rebecca Bates, alongside her five children, oversees a small-scale dairy operation with 17 cows. Each cow is milked individually, and their milk is quickly cooled to ensure safety. The Bates family adheres to high-quality standards while selling raw milk and dairy products directly to informed consumers under the Wyoming Food Freedom Act.
Initially limited by laws that required them to sell cow shares rather than milk directly, the family now sells raw milk, butter, and cheese from their farm store, website, and through local delivery. While raw milk customers must acknowledge that the product is unregulated, Bates emphasizes that meticulous cleanliness and care help maintain safety.
Raw milk remains illegal for commercial sale in many states, as federal laws mandate pasteurization for milk sold in stores. Advocates of raw milk, however, argue that pasteurization diminishes milk’s natural nutritional value and may be unnecessary when safety protocols are followed.
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services has sparked speculation about changes to raw milk laws. Kennedy, a raw milk proponent, has included the issue in his agenda to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Supporters like Bates highlight the benefits, including better digestion for individuals who are lactose intolerant, and lament the loss of natural nutrients during pasteurization.
“Raw milk has the nutrients to actually digest itself, unlike pasteurized milk, which has to have those nutrients artificially added back,” Bates said.
Raw milk is not without risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that contamination can occur from sick animals, unclean equipment, or improper storage. In 2023, five Wyoming residents fell ill after drinking raw milk contaminated with Campylobacter and E. Coli, underscoring the dangers of consuming unpasteurized products.
Critics of nationwide legalization, like Jack Schmidt of Fremont Local Market in Riverton, caution that local oversight is key to maintaining safety.
“It’s very hard to police this on a federal level… We don’t want to risk bad players entering the market,” Schmidt said.
Bates acknowledges these concerns and insists that small farms like hers are uniquely positioned to maintain high standards.
“We are very tight in our process of cleaning and filtering,” she said.
Bates added that their animals are fed a healthy diet and monitored closely for illness.
For many, the decision to consume raw milk is about weighing the risks against the perceived benefits. While pasteurization ensures longer shelf life and reduces contamination risks, raw milk advocates argue that it sacrifices vital nutrients.
As the debate continues, Schmidt reflects on the origins of pasteurization during the Industrial Revolution, when urban cows were fed poor-quality brewer’s grains, resulting in unhealthy milk. While pasteurization was a necessary solution then, Schmidt believes modern safety protocols could allow for the safe consumption of raw milk.
“It’s a good idea to get some regulations gone, but safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to food,” Schmidt said.
Bates agrees that raw milk may not be for everyone but insists it remains a valuable option.
“Ultimately, it’s about being informed… Raw milk has its risks, but it also has benefits you won’t find in the pasteurized version. It’s up to consumers to decide what’s best for them,” she said.
