The number of U.S. outbreaks caused by nonpasteurized milk rose from 30 between 2007 and 2009 to 51 during 2010 to 2012. These outbreaks resulted in 979 illnesses and 73 hospitalizations. Outbreaks were most commonly caused by Campylobacter ssp. (81 percent), followed by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (17 percent). The number of outbreaks caused by Campylobacter ssp. nearly doubled from the 2007 study period to the period between 2010 and 2012.

In 71 percent of outbreaks, nonpasteurized milk was obtained from dairy farms, 13 percent came from licensed or commercial milk sellers. An additional 12 percent of raw milk was obtained from cow or herd share arrangements.

In 1987, the FDA banned the interstate sale and distribution of raw milk. However, the laws regulating intrastate sales are set by the states. The vast majority of outbreaks (81 percent) occurred in states where nonpasteurized milk sales are legal in some form: Pennsylvania (17 outbreaks), New York and Minnesota (six each), South Carolina, Washington and Utah (five each).

The average number of outbreaks associated with nonpasteurized milk was four times higher in this six-year period (13.5 outbreaks per year) than reported in a review of outbreaks from 1993 to 2006 (3.3 outbreaks per year). This increase was concurrent with a decline in the number of states in which the sale of nonpasteurized milk was illegal; from 28 in 2004 to 20 in 2011.


To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.