Protecting families from contaminated food and water
All fields are required
Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Listeria,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Raw Milk on February 4, 2026
A Public Health Awareness News Release warns consumers about raw milk in New Mexico following the death of a newborn earlier this week.
According to the missive:
“Health officials believe the most likely source of infection was unpasteurized milk the infant’s mother drank during pregnancy. While investigators cannot pinpoint the exact cause, the tragic death underscores the serious risks raw dairy poses to pregnant women, young children, elderly New Mexicans, and anyone with a weakened immune system.”
What is raw milk and why is it particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their newborns? Which illnesses are commonly associated with raw milk? What should you do if you become sick?
You may be wondering. What exactly is raw milk?
Essentially, raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized.
By “pasteurization,” I mean a type of heat treatment performed at a certain temperature for a specific period of time that has been proven to kill various types of bacteria. This time/temperature combination can vary depending on what is being pasteurized and the type of pasteurization. Low-temp pasteurization, for example, undergoes longer periods of heat cycles to achieve pasteurization and lower temperatures.
The purpose of pasteurization is to kill bacteria responsible for many different types of illnesses. Pasteurization is known to kill avian influenza, Brucella, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and more!
According to New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, Jeff M. Witte, “New Mexico’s dairy producers work hard to provide safe, wholesome products and pasteurization is a vital part of that process.” Secretary Whitte explains that “Consumers, particularly those at higher risk, are encouraged to choose pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of serious foodborne illness.”
A serious foodborne illness like Listeria, that was likely contracted by the mother and passed on to her newborn. Resulting in their tragic death.
One of the biggest issues pregnant women face when it comes to raw dairy is Listeria monocytogenes. A germ that is often associated with raw dairy products but also has a unique complication that can affect pregnancy.
This deadly bacterium not only grows in the refrigerated temperatures in which we store milk. It thrives in it.
A small amount of Listeria bacteria can quickly multiply into infectious numbers.
In addition to Listeria, other germs can impact a pregnant woman’s health, and consequently her fetus and newborn. For this reason, pregnant women are urged to avoid unpasteurized products.
“Individuals who are pregnant should only consume pasteurized milk products to help prevent illnesses and deaths in newborns,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for the New Mexican Department of Health.
Some of the more common illnesses associated with raw milk in New Mexico (and all the other states) includes Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella.
Let’s start with the likely germ associated with the newborn death linked to raw milk in New Mexico.
Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for the illness, listeriosis. It causes a serious infection often linked to contaminated foods.
The CDC estimates about 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 of those die from the illness.
Anyone can become infected with Listeria, however, most healthy people do not become seriously ill. There are certain groups, however, that are more at risk of becoming sick or experiencing more severe illness.
High-risk groups include:
There are two types of Listeria illness symptoms. Intestinal and invasive.
The most common form of listeriosis involves intestinal illness. The infection is limited to the digestive system.
It often involves vomiting and diarrhea that often begins within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and lasts around 1 to 3 days.
Most people with this type of listeriosis don’t need antibiotic treatment and generally treat symptoms, keeping hydrated until the illness passes. Those in the higher risk groups may need medical treatment and antibiotics to recover.
Intestinal listeriosis may evolve to a more invasive illness.
Invasive illness occurs when Listeria bacteria move beyond the digestive system and into other parts of the body. In this case, listeriosis affects pregnant and non-pregnant people differently. In both categories, symptoms often begin about 2 weeks after consuming the contaminated food.
Pregnant people generally experience milder personal symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. The greater risk is associated with the unborn child. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
People who are not pregnant often experience symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Fever and muscle aches are also possible symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment and often need hospitalization.
While Listeria is the germ likely responsible for the New Mexican infant death, other germs associated with raw milk in New Mexico can also cause serious illness.
Here’s a few of the highlights!
Campylobacter infections can cause serious illness. People usually begin feeling sick around two to five days after ingesting campylobacter bacteria or something contaminated with it. Most people begin feeling better in about a week. However, some people may experience additional complications.
Campylobacter symptoms to look out for:
Certain people with weakened immune systems such as those with AIDS, receiving chemotherapy, or people with a blood disorder may develop a life-threatening infection if it spreads to the bloodstream.
E. coli infection symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
E. coli symptoms to look out for:
People generally recover from E. coli infections within about a week (five to seven days). However, some people may experience other complications. The elderly, young children, and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms or develop a serious complication.
Salmonella infection symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure.
Symptoms to look out for include:
In most cases, symptoms are resolved within a week (four to seven days).
While some states have not legalized this risky food product, New Mexico has. In fact, GetRawMilk.com states that raw milk in New Mexico is legal for both retail and on-farm sales.
With certain standards for retail sale, of course.
According to New Mexico law, “raw milk sold by a retailer must meet all standards established by the board of regents of New Mexico state university and the environmental improvement agency for the retail sale of grade A raw milk.”
These standards include:
Ideally, any dairy product sold to the public should be safe to consume. However, raw milk presents the aforementioned risks. So, what happens if you do get sick from drinking it or eating products (like cheese) made with it?
If you have consumed potentially contaminated raw milk, there are a few things you should do.
If you have consumed potentially contaminated raw milk, you may become sick. In some cases, it could take a week or more for symptoms to appear. Seek medical attention if you become sick. Even if you are not severely ill. Your sample may be linked to a potential outbreak investigation.
If you still have it, retain packaging and receipts if possible. Your purchase may help investigators narrow or widen the scope of the investigation. Your assistance may be able to help prevent others from becoming sick.
Finally, reach out to a Listeria lawyer. Listeriosis can cause serious illness and loss. A Listeria Lawyer can help answer questions, investigate your illness, and file a claim to recover the financial burden associated with your illness.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has recovered millions of dollars for families with cases just like yours. With a specialty in contamination, products liability, and food safety cases, you can trust the Listeria lawyers of The Lange Law Firm, PLLC to navigate this complicated legal process on your behalf.
They know the questions to ask, the information to obtain, and how to build your case. Their compassionate team will help you through this unfortunate situation and get you the justice you deserve.
Don’t wait! Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC today!
Call (833) 330-3663 or click here to fill out an online submission form to get started today with a free consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)