Benefits of raw milk are anecdotal, but the dangers are terrible

Following Minnesota's Hartmann Dairy Farm E. coli outbreak that left one child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, Marler reviews nine raw milk outbreaks since January 2010 across seven states involving three different pathogens. Pennsylvania had approximately 10 Campylobacter cases including one victim who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, became paralyzed, and remains hospitalized with over $1 million in medical bills. He contrasts anecdotal health benefit claims with scientific evidence, profiling victims to illustrate real-world effects: Chris Martin (hospitalized through November, likely severe future renal complications); Mari Tardiff (goal to walk again unreached); and Kalee Prue (has not recovered full renal function, severe risk for long-term complications). "I understand the desire of a farmer to sell a highly profitable product ($10 to $16 per gallon in California)," he states, "but farmers and consumers need to be fully informed." He helped fund www.realrawmilkfacts.com for science-based discussion.