Raw milk for thought

The news that at least 10 people recently became ill from unpasteurized milk in California raises important questions for science journalists. Journalists’ instinct is to explain the pasteurization process and the threats of untreated milk more clearly and with more emphasis. But this approach makes assumptions about how science journalism affects change. At C&EN, we spent some time reflecting on whether it was a good idea to write about the issues of raw milk because that act provides a platform for what amounts to an unscientific movement. Also, our attempts at educating the public may reach only those whose behavior needs no change. Our readers are no doubt well aware of how pasteurization destroys common pathogens in raw milk, and they’re unlikely to be part of the consumer group increasing sales of unpasteurized milk. In the US, less than 1% of the population drinks raw milk , according to the