New Mexico warns against drinking raw milk after newborn dies from listeria
In a tragic incident in New Mexico, an infant has passed away from listeria, leading the state’s health department to issue a warning against the consumption of raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products.
According to a news release from the New Mexico Department of Health, it is believed that the newborn contracted listeria as a result of the unpasteurized milk their mother consumed during pregnancy. While the exact cause cannot be pinpointed, listeria can have severe consequences such as miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or fatal infections in newborns, even if the mother experiences only mild symptoms.
Public health officials emphasize that raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products can pose a serious risk to young children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Listeria ranks as the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States, with approximately 1,250 people becoming infected each year and around 172 individuals succumbing to the illness annually, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most milk undergoes pasteurization, a process that involves heating the milk to a high temperature to eliminate harmful germs. In contrast, raw or unpasteurized milk may contain various pathogens, including listeria, influenza, tuberculosis, salmonella, and E. coli, which can lead to illnesses.
The introduction of pasteurization in the early 1900s has significantly reduced milk-borne illnesses, as noted by the CDC. Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits as raw milk without the associated risks.
New Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Jeff Witte, emphasized the importance of pasteurization in ensuring the safety of dairy products. He encouraged consumers, particularly those at higher risk, to opt for pasteurized dairy products to minimize the likelihood of serious foodborne illnesses.
In a similar incident in August 2025, Florida officials issued a warning after 21 individuals, including six children, fell ill due to E. coli and campylobacter bacteria linked to raw milk from a specific farm.
The rise in interest in raw milk in the United States has been fueled by online influencers promoting it as a “wellness” product. Sales of raw milk appeared to be increasing, as reported by The Associated Press in 2024.
