Raw Milk and Asthma: What the Farm Studies Found, and Why Experts Still Say No

Two large European studies found that children who drank unprocessed farm milk had lower rates of asthma and hay fever than children who didn’t. That finding has made raw milk popular with some parents. But these were observational studies, not proof that raw milk prevents allergies, and the researchers themselves warned against giving children raw milk because it can carry dangerous germs.

The CDC says raw milk can be a source of serious foodborne illness, and that pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without those risks. This guide explains what the studies found, what they didn’t show, and what you can do instead. For more, see our food allergy guides and asthma guides.

Jump to: Quick answer · The farm milk studies · What they don’t show · Raw milk risks · What to do instead · FAQ

Quick answer

• PARSIFAL (2007): among nearly 15,000 children in five European countries, ever drinking farm milk was linked to about 26% lower odds of asthma and 44% lower odds of hay fever-type eye and nose symptoms.
• GABRIELA (2011): in rural Germany, Austria and Switzerland, raw farm milk was linked to less asthma, atopy and hay fever, but boiled farm milk was not.
• Not proof: these studies show associations, not cause and effect, and were done in farming communities.
• Real risks: raw milk can carry Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella; the CDC also advises against raw milk contaminated with H5N1 bird flu virus.
• Bottom line: don’t give raw milk to children to prevent allergies. Talk to your pediatrician or allergist about proven steps.

What the farm milk studies found

The GABRIELA researchers concluded that any protective effect on asthma might be linked to the whey proteins in milk, which heat can change. The PARSIFAL authors called for research to understand which components matter, as a basis for developing a safe product for prevention.

What these studies don’t show

• They’re observational. They found associations in surveys and blood tests, not results from a trial where children were randomly assigned to drink raw milk.
• Farm life is different. Children in these studies were mostly from rural or farming communities, with many other exposures (animals, barns, outdoor time) that are hard to fully separate, even though both studies adjusted for some of them.
• Store-bought raw milk isn’t the same. The studies looked at farm milk in specific European regions, not raw milk sold elsewhere.
• No safe dose was tested. Nobody has shown that a child can get a benefit without the infection risk.

The risks of raw milk

The CDC warns that raw milk can be a source of foodborne illness, including from:

• Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella.
• H5N1 bird flu virus: the CDC recommends against consuming raw milk contaminated with live A(H5N1) virus, and warns that drinking raw milk to try to build antibodies against the virus could make you sick.

Good farm practices reduce contamination but can’t guarantee raw milk is safe. Children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness. Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without these risks, the CDC says.

If your child has a milk allergy, raw milk is no safer than pasteurized milk: both contain the milk proteins that cause the reaction. See our guide to milk allergy treatment research.

What parents can do instead

• Ask about early food introduction. Your pediatrician or allergist can advise when and how to introduce common allergens to your baby.
• Control what you can at home, like dust mites, smoke and mold; see why kids’ allergies get worse at night.
• Get symptoms checked early. Ongoing cough, wheezing or sneezing in a child deserves a visit to the pediatrician or an allergist.
• Choose pasteurized milk and dairy, and read labels carefully, as the CDC advises.

Researchers are also studying how early-life exposures shape the immune system; read about the hygiene hypothesis and parasites.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Frequently asked questions

Does raw milk prevent asthma and allergies?

It hasn’t been proven. European studies found that children who drank farm milk had lower rates of asthma and hay fever, but these were observational studies in farming communities. The researchers did not recommend raw milk.

Why did boiled farm milk not help in the study?

In the GABRIELA study, boiled farm milk showed no protective effect. The researchers suggested that heat-sensitive whey proteins might be involved, but this hasn’t been confirmed.

Is raw milk safe for children?

No. The CDC warns raw milk can carry germs such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella and Campylobacter, and children under 5 are at higher risk of serious illness.

Is raw milk OK for someone with a milk allergy?

No. Raw milk contains the same milk proteins that trigger milk allergy, and it adds the risk of foodborne illness.

Is there a safe way to get the benefit of farm milk?

Not yet. Researchers have called for work to identify the protective components and develop a safe product for prevention. Until then, choose pasteurized milk.

Sources

• Waser M, Michels KB, Bieli C, et al. Inverse association of farm milk consumption with asthma and allergy in rural and suburban populations across Europe. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007;37(5):661-670.
• Loss G, Apprich S, Waser M, et al. The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: the GABRIELA study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128(4):766-773.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Raw milk. January 31, 2025.

Last reviewed: October 21, 2026.