A new study finds that between 2010 and 2012, five percent of all U.S. food-borne outbreaks with a known source were tied to raw milk.  The research is in the CDC journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. [Elisabeth A. Mungai, Casey Barton Behravesh and L. Hannah Gould, Increased Outbreaks Associated with Nonpasteurized Milk, United States, 2007–2012].  Also, see downloadable infographic.

Microbes in raw milk—including salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter and Listeria—caused an average of three outbreaks per year between 1993 and 2006. But the new study finds an average of 13 such outbreaks annually from 2007 through 2012.

During that time raw milk consumption resulted in 979 illnesses and 73 hospitalizations. And more than 80 percent of such cases occurred in states where selling raw milk is legal.

More information from the CDC can be found here.

Also, for additional information about raw milk risks, see Real Raw Milk Facts.