Stale laws resulting in increased availability of raw milk are associated with more outbreaks.

• A. less
• B. about the same
• C. unknown
• D. more

Answer: (D)

More exposure to raw milk means more outbreaks because raw milk isn’t pasteurized, so any harmful bacteria that may be present can survive and be consumed. Pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria can cause illness with even small amounts of contaminated milk. Pasteurization kills these microbes, so it greatly reduces the risk. When laws are outdated or lax and raw milk becomes more available, more people can obtain and drink it. That broader access increases how many people are exposed, and with more exposure comes a higher chance of illness clusters and outbreaks. Even though some outbreaks go unreported or involve small numbers, the overall trend is that greater availability of raw milk is associated with more outbreaks.