In a statement this week, the organization highlighted the dangers of unpasteurized milk, which can carry pathogens such as E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. The renewed call comes amid a broader political climate that doctors say is undermining public health measures that have protected children for decades.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, has shifted federal policy away from evidence-based recommendations, the AAP argues. Separately, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened investigations into pediatricians who administer childhood vaccines, falsely characterizing the practice as part of a multi-level scheme. Critics say Paxton’s campaign is politically motivated as he runs for the U.S. Senate.
The AAP has spent much of the past year defending routine vaccinations, which it says have saved millions of lives. The organization now warns that raw milk, which has gained popularity in some wellness circles, represents a similar front in an ongoing battle over scientific consensus and children's health.