The Internet’s latest viral wellness obsession—drinking unpasteurized “raw” milk—has fueled a surge in demand worldwide, including on Thai social media platforms, but medical professionals are raising urgent concerns over its serious health risks. With raw milk advocates touting purported nutritional and immunity benefits, global health authorities and food safety experts warn that these claims are not only unproven but mask very real dangers—pathogenic infections, foodborne illness outbreaks, and even life-threatening complications, especially for children and the elderly (BuzzFeed; Wikipedia - Raw milk).
The trend gained traction across Western social media in early 2024, after several influencers and alternative health proponents showcased raw milk consumption as the newest “back-to-nature” lifestyle hack. Interest in the practice has spilled into Thai online health communities, sparked by viral clips and international news coverage about celebrities and politicians promoting raw milk (TwinCities.com; Salon). This puts Thai consumers at risk of exposure to a dangerous food fad that is roundly condemned by mainstream medical and food safety agencies.
Raw milk is simply unpasteurized milk straight from cows, goats, or other animals, without the high-heat treatment that kills bacteria and pathogens. Proponents claim this process destroys nutrients and beneficial bacteria, leading to inferior health outcomes compared to “living” raw milk. However, clinical research and epidemiological data overwhelmingly contradict these claims. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raw milk is significantly more likely to transmit serious pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and even brucellosis and tuberculosis (CDC). These bacteria can cause severe gastroenteritis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (a form of kidney failure), meningitis, miscarriage, and death—particularly among young children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and immunocompromised persons.
A 2023 analysis by the CDC found that, although only a small fraction of the population drinks raw milk, it is responsible for an outsized proportion—up to 96% according to some estimates—of all dairy-related foodborne illness outbreaks (BuzzFeed News). The US FDA, the European Food Safety Authority, and major Asia-Pacific health authorities universally advise against consuming unpasteurized milk products, warning that any perceived health benefits are vastly outweighed by the risk to public health. “There are no documented benefits to outweigh the already well-established hazards of raw milk consumption,” noted a spokesperson from a leading international food safety agency.
Within Thai academic and regulatory circles, the stance remains equally firm. Officials from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (hereafter “public health officials”) strictly regulate dairy production and require pasteurization for milk sold commercially. A leading food microbiologist from Mahidol University explained: “Thailand’s pasteurization laws are based on extensive scientific evidence. Raw milk may contain dangerous bacteria originating from the animal, the environment, or poor handling practices, and boiling is the only way to make it safe for human consumption.”
Nevertheless, the rise of alternative nutrition beliefs and rapid spread of information (and misinformation) through Thai online networks are making global health scares like the raw milk trend increasingly relevant. In 2025, researchers in Mexico published a study in the journal ‘Veterinary World’ that highlighted the risks associated with family-run goat farms producing raw dairy: products “often had suboptimal hygienic quality,” and raw milk was identified as a key vector for disease (PubMed). Other recent research out of Southeast Asia and Africa reiterated the dangers posed by unregulated raw milk consumption, especially in warm climates where pathogen growth accelerates (PubMed).
The price of chasing online trends is steep: in Cambodia, Thailand’s neighbor, outbreaks of brucellosis from raw cow’s milk prompted a government crackdown and fierce public debate over rural beliefs versus modern food safety practices (WHO SEA Report). Thailand itself has a history of safeguarding the public through robust pasteurization campaigns, especially following dairy-related illness clusters reported in border provinces during the 1980s public health reforms.
What makes the current raw milk craze particularly challenging is the power of online misinformation and the cultural longing, in Thailand as elsewhere, for “natural” or “traditional” foods. Many Thais—especially those living in rural areas or seeking remedies for allergies—view fresh, minimally processed foods as inherently superior. Anecdotal reports from urban “wellness communities” suggest a growing willingness to trust online testimonials over scientific consensus, fueling a shadow market for risky products like black-market raw milk or “fresh farm” deliveries that bypass regulatory scrutiny.
Doctors and food safety educators are scrambling to combat misleading claims by emphasizing the real science. “Pasteurization does not destroy milk’s nutritional value,” stressed a specialist from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine in an interview. “Nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein remain intact, while dangerous bacteria are neutralized. The only thing lost is the risk of disease.” Their colleagues at the Ministry of Public Health echo this message, offering guidelines on safe milk consumption and warning of the legal risks for producers and sellers of non-compliant dairy.
Globally, the rise in raw milk popularity appears driven by social media echo chambers and the politicization of food regulations. In the US and Europe, libertarian and “personal freedom” arguments have boosted raw milk’s profile, while some celebrities and politicians fuel public confusion through their endorsements (Minneapolis Star Tribune). In Thailand, similar populist pressures could one day test food safety norms, especially if viral trends outpace the government’s updated guidance and enforcement.
Looking ahead, experts in both public health and digital media caution that food safety communication must evolve. Thailand’s experience with rabies outbreaks, food adulteration panics, and previous fermented product scares points to the need for flexible risk messaging—using influencers and trusted local networks to counteract viral myths. “Tapping into Buddhist principles about moderation and harm avoidance could provide a uniquely Thai context for teaching science-based food safety,” observed a cultural anthropologist at Chiang Mai University.
For now, the consensus from both Thai and international authorities is clear: the public should avoid consuming raw milk or unpasteurized dairy products due to the very real, well-researched dangers. Parents, teachers, and health-conscious consumers are urged to seek information from credible sources, ask for pasteurization certificates when buying dairy, and report any suspicious products to local food safety officials.
In summary, while trends come and go on social media, the evidence against raw milk is overwhelming and grounded in a century of public health data. The best action for Thais concerned about their family’s health and wellness is to enjoy pasteurized dairy—receiving all the nutritional benefits without putting themselves at risk from preventable diseases. Consumers can check for regulatory seals, request farm inspection details, and support local producers who follow national health standards.
For those curious about wellness trends they see online, a simple rule of thumb applies: if it sounds too good to be true, check the science and always put your health first.
Sources:
- BuzzFeed: The Dangers Of Raw Milk, According To An Expert
- Wikipedia: Raw Milk
- CDC: Raw Milk Questions and Answers
- BuzzFeed News: The News About Raw Milk Keeps Getting Worse
- PubMed: Characterization of family goat farms and determination of risk factors associated with the sanitary qualities of raw milk and fresh cheese in three production areas in Mexico
- TwinCities.com: Bizarre raw milk trend puts kids at risk
- Salon: Why conservatives are now obsessed with raw milk
- Minneapolis Star Tribune: RFK Jr. supports raw milk. Here’s what to know before jumping on the trend.