AAP Renews Call to Ban Raw Milk — What the New H5N1 and Listeria Data Mean for Families

The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its policy on raw milk and raw dairy products, renewing its call for a national ban. The updated statement cites new data on two specific risks — H5N1 avian influenza and listeriosis — and is scheduled to publish in the November 2026 issue of Pediatrics.

For Colorado Springs families who shop at local farm markets, this guidance is directly relevant. Raw milk is available at some COS market locations, often marketed with health claims that the AAP's evidence base doesn't support for children or people who are pregnant.

The Two Key Risks

H5N1 in Raw Milk

The AAP's updated policy specifically calls out H5N1 avian influenza as a concern with raw milk consumption. H5N1 has been detected in raw cow's milk, and while human infections from dairy remain rare, the virus's presence in the milk supply adds a layer of risk that pasteurization eliminates. The AAP's position is that this risk is unnecessary and avoidable.

Listeriosis During Pregnancy

Listeria monocytogenes — the bacteria responsible for listeriosis — is 12 to 14 times more likely to cause illness in pregnant people who consume raw dairy compared to those who don't. Listeriosis during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or serious illness in newborns. Pasteurization effectively eliminates this risk, which is why the AAP's guidance is particularly strong for pregnant people and young children.

Quick Reference: AAP Raw Milk Guidance

What This Means Locally

Colorado law currently allows the sale of raw milk directly from licensed farms and at some farm market locations in Colorado Springs. The AAP's position is a federal advocacy statement, not a state regulation — so raw milk remains legally available in Colorado. But the pediatric guidance is clear: the risks for children and pregnant people outweigh the proposed benefits, and pasteurized milk provides equivalent nutritional value without those risks.

If you've been buying raw milk at a local COS market as a general family product — including for children or while pregnant — the AAP's updated guidance is worth reading in full before your next purchase.

What's Next

The full policy statement will be available at aap.org when published in November 2026. If you have questions about raw milk and your child's specific health situation, that's a good conversation to have with your pediatrician — the AAP's guidance is population-level, and a provider who knows your family can offer context that a policy statement can't.