Characteristics of Consumers of Unpasteurized Milk in the United States

Despite considerable scientific evidence about the health risks of drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk, advocates continue to lobby for the reduction of state regulatory restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized milk. Multivariate analyses were performed on 1998-1999, 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 FoodNet Population Survey data to determine characteristics of unpasteurized milk consumers. Across all years of the survey, 3.4% of respondents reported consuming unpasteurized milk at some point in the previous seven days. Our findings indicate that unpasteurized milk drinkers in the states covered by the analysis are more likely to be Hispanic, less educated and of lower income than non-drinkers and they are more likely to report drinking unpasteurized juice.