At least 165 individuals have contracted Salmonella infections from consuming unpasteurized milk from Raw Farm, a dairy farm in Fresno, California, according to the Associated Press. Nearly 40% of these cases are children under five years old. Despite warnings from U.S. public health agencies, raw milk sales continue to rise, even amidst an avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle, posing a significant health risk. NielsenIQ, a market research firm, revealed that weekly raw milk sales have surged by 21 to 65 percent compared to the same period last year.
Experts caution that raw milk is a potentially hazardous food product that may cause food poisoning, with symptoms that can be severe, particularly in children. The immature immune systems of children render them especially vulnerable to these risks. Recently, raw milk has become more popular, especially among younger consumers, influenced by welfare advocates and public figures endorsing its consumption.
