Raw milk revolution: A new dawn for health freedom?

The raw milk movement is poised to take center stage in the fight for health freedom, as a California dairy legend has been tapped to shape FDA policy under the Trump administration. Mark McAfee, CEO of Raw Farm and a pioneer in the raw milk industry, has been approached by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s team to advise on raw milk policy and standards development. This groundbreaking move could mark the beginning of a new era for food freedom in America. RFK Jr. is president-elect Trump’s nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

For decades, raw milk has been demonized by public health authorities, with the FDA and CDC warning against its consumption due to alleged risks of bacterial contamination. However, a growing chorus of health advocates, including Kennedy, argues that these warnings are rooted in outdated fears and corporate interests rather than sound science. McAfee, with over 25 years of experience in the raw milk industry, is uniquely positioned to challenge these narratives and champion a more balanced approach to dairy regulation.

The potential for McAfee to influence FDA policy is electrifying for those who believe in the power of unprocessed foods. Raw milk, untouched by the heat of pasteurization, is rich in beneficial microbes and nutrients that its pasteurized counterpart lacks. Advocates claim it can alleviate allergies, asthma, eczema, and even respiratory infections — benefits that have been overshadowed by fearmongering about contamination risks.

McAfee’s appointment comes at a critical time. The FDA has recently ramped up its anti-raw milk rhetoric, citing fraudulent PCR tests to claim that 14% of raw milk samples contained infectious H5N1 bird flu. These claims, however, have been met with skepticism from raw milk proponents, who argue that the tests are unreliable and that the FDA’s focus on raw milk is a smokescreen for broader issues in the industrialized food system.

For McAfee, the fight for raw milk is personal. In a previous interview, he lamented the low pay for milk producers, which he believes incentivizes lax sanitation practices and reliance on pasteurization. “They’re being paid so little for their milk that the standards under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and FDA allow anything to get in because it’s going to get pasteurized,” he said. His vision is clear: higher pay for producers would lead to cleaner facilities and a reduced need for pasteurization.

Kennedy’s involvement in this movement is equally significant. As a longtime advocate for decoupling corporate interests from public health policy, he brings a unique perspective to the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Kennedy’s commitment to expanding access to raw milk—a product he personally enjoys—could signal a broader shift in how the government views food freedom and consumer choice.

The stakes are high. Raw milk is currently legal for sale in grocery stores in 12 states and for direct farm-to-customer sales in 20 states, but transportation across state lines remains strictly prohibited. McAfee’s potential role in crafting a “raw milk ordinance” could pave the way for nationwide access, giving Americans the freedom to choose their own path to health.

For now, this is all still just a hopeful possibility

Not everyone is celebrating, however. Critics point to recent recalls of McAfee’s products due to bird flu contamination, as well as a salmonella outbreak linked to his farm in 2023-2024. These incidents underscore the risks associated with raw milk, but McAfee maintains that the benefits far outweigh the dangers. “Raw Farm has a brain trust of the world’s best H5N1 scientists on our team,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to safety and transparency.

The raw milk revolution is about more than just dairy; it’s a battle for the soul of the food system. If McAfee and Kennedy succeed in reshaping FDA policy, it could set a precedent for other unprocessed foods — opening the door to a future where consumers have the freedom to make their own health choices without government interference.

It’s a waiting game now to see if Kennedy and his team’s efforts to Make America Health Again get confirmed. The appointment of Mark McAfee to the FDA advisory role would be a beacon of hope for those who believe in the sanctity of unprocessed foods and the right to choose what we put into our bodies. With Kennedy at the helm of HHS and McAfee guiding the way, the raw milk movement could soon become a cornerstone of the health freedom revolution. The future of food freedom is raw, unpasteurized, and full of potential.

Sources include:

TheDailyBell.com

WashingtonExaminer.com

ABCNews.com