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The FDA Raw Milk Ordinance That Didn't Happen

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For decades, raw milk has been highly restricted by the USA government. Since 1987, it has been illegal to sell or distribute raw milk across state lines, such that farmers are strictly limited in the scope of their raw milk businesses to whatever is allowed by their state’s laws. In 2024, leading up to the Presidential election, we thought that all might change.

In June of 2024, Raw Milk Institute Chairman Mark McAfee was asked to develop potential national guidelines for raw milk for human consumption. These guidelines were requested by Nicole Shanahan, who was then the Vice Presidential candidate alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (who was running for President of the USA). The raw milk guidelines were to have been a starting point for new standards through the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was further intimated that the Raw Milk Institute and its Chairman would be called on to assist the FDA in implementing these new national standards for raw milk.

Although the Presidential election panned out very differently than anticipated, nonetheless when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Raw Milk Institute was ready to engage in supporting new national raw milk standards. We stood ready to go to work on bringing low-risk raw milk standards for the Nation. Unfortunately, the call never came.

In June 2025, RAWMI Chairman Mark McAfee contacted the FDA to offer our support. Instead of accepting this offer, we received the following response from FDA Deputy Director of Human Foods, Donald Prater DVM:

Unfortunately, the FDA and its leadership has not prioritized the development of guidance for low-risk raw milk. Nonetheless, we want the public to see the long-term vision that RAWMI developed for nationwide access to low-risk raw milk for all Americans.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: Expanded version of RAWMI’s vision for Raw Milk for America

We still hold this vision as we work every day as a grass-roots organization. Human consumption raw milk standards, farmer training, and testing are very much part of the future for a healthier world and sustainable, thriving farmers.

Disclaimer: With the use of risk management strategies, raw milk can be a low-risk food. However, there is no such thing as a perfectly safe food. Pasteurized milk is not perfectly safe, either, and is implicated in foodborne illnesses and outbreaks every year.

The Raw Milk Institute provides information for educational purposes only. Raw Milk Institute does not assume any responsibility or liability for the use of this information.