Dr. Mark Siegel Urges Against Raw Milk Saying Pasteurized Milk Only Despite Kennedy’s Advocacy
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Fox News Senior Medical Analyst Dr. Mark Siegel has strongly advised viewers against drinking raw milk, countering a push by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Siegel’s remarks came on Sunday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it would test the nation’s milk supply for potential bird flu contamination. “Raw milk is not just a danger to people who might drink,” Siegel explained to Fox News host Arthel Neville. “It’s also rodents that get it that way, you know, drinking that raw milk or milk.”
Siegel referenced a recent study in Science that raised concerns about bird flu transmission. “A new study out in Science just this week, the Journal of Science, shows that we may be only one mutation away from it being able to pass human to human,” he said. “It is not, as far as we know, doing that now, which is reassuring.”
Despite this, Siegel emphasized the importance of ensuring milk safety. He noted that while Tamiflu and vaccines have been effective against bird flu, “We’ve got to check our milk,” adding, “And obviously, you have to drink pasteurized milk only.”
Dr. Siegel stressed that pasteurization is key to ensuring safety, saying, “That should get rid of it, by the way, 100% of the time. Pasteurized milk only. USDA has to monitor our milk across the country at this point.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his advocacy of raw milk, has been expected to promote its consumption as health secretary, even stating he would drink only raw milk. Kennedy has also taken a controversial step by asking the CEO of a dairy company involved in a raw milk recall to serve as an advisor to the Food and Drug Administration.
As the debate over raw milk continues, Siegel’s comments highlight concerns about the potential health risks of consuming unpasteurized products in light of ongoing safety issues.
