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Unpasteurized milk, cheese and other "raw" dairy products are unsafe to drink or eat, especially for young children and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to updated guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The AAP renews its call for a ban on the sale and distribution of raw milk and dairy products, including raw cheeses, because they increase the risk of life-threatening infections. Claims that raw milk provides superior health benefits are not supported by scientific evidence.

The statement, "Consumption of Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk and Milk Products by Pregnant People and Children," is published in Pediatrics. The policy statement, written by the Committee on Infectious Diseases and the Committee on Nutrition, will be featured during an Oct. 5 presentation at the AAP 2026 National Conference & Exhibition in San Diego.

The updated guidance also highlights emerging evidence that H5N1, or highly pathogenic avian influenza, may represent a new and potentially serious risk associated with raw milk. Research suggests the virus can be transmitted from infected dairy cattle into milk, where it can reach high concentrations and remain detectable in refrigerated raw milk for up to five weeks.

"Nearly half of illnesses caused by raw dairy consumption occur in people under age 20—and a significant share of those cases are in children under 5," said Adam J. , MPH, FAAP, lead author.

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