5 Raw Quotes From America’s Largest Raw-Milk Dairy Owner

ProPublica reporter Annie Waldman presents five direct quotes from Mark McAfee, owner of America's largest raw-milk dairy, contextualized within her six-month investigation into how Trump administration health policy—particularly Health Secretary RFK Jr.'s advocacy—has shifted federal enforcement against raw milk despite documented health risks. Waldman provides substantial reporting rigor: she documents 233 people sickened across eight outbreaks connected to McAfee's farm since 2006, specifics on hospitalizations and permanent injuries (including a child with kidney damage), FDA discovery of the farm's practice of diverting contaminated milk to cheesemaking, and McAfee's inconsistent statements about that practice caught on the record. The article is bylined by a named ProPublica reporter with clear sourcing from federal regulators, court documents, and named subjects; McAfee's quotes are presented verbatim and directly countered with scientific consensus and documented evidence—strong journalistic practice. Independent search results corroborate the broader pattern: Food Safety News reports expert warnings about raw milk risks despite celebrity endorsements, and The Journal (Ireland) documents how raw milk promotion aligns with wellness misinformation networks, supporting Waldman's framing of a shift in mainstream acceptance. Watch for FDA enforcement decisions and potential regulatory changes under continued RFK Jr. leadership, as well as any additional outbreak investigations that may challenge McAfee's reassurances about product safety.