Raw milk is a product many people actively look for, but it’s also one that comes with important questions. If you’ve searched what is raw milk, you’re likely trying to understand what makes it different from pasteurised milk, why people choose it, and how to buy it responsibly.
At Foulgers Dairy, we sell raw milk and deliver it to customers who choose unpasteurised milk as part of their regular milk consumption. This guide explains what raw milk is, how it’s supplied, what the health warnings mean, and how to make an informed choice.
What Is Raw Milk?
Raw milk is milk that comes from cows and has not been heat treated as part of the pasteurisation process. It is also known as unpasteurised milk or raw cow’s drinking milk and is intended for direct human consumption.
Unlike pasteurised milk, raw drinking milk does not go through commercial pasteurisation, which is the heating process used to reduce harmful bacteria and extend shelf life. Because raw milk skips this step, it retains its natural state as it leaves the dairy farm.
How Raw Milk Is Different from Pasteurised Milk
The key difference between raw milk and pasteurised milk is how the milk is processed.
Pasteurised milk is heat treated during the pasteurisation process to reduce dangerous pathogens and harmful germs. This makes pasteurised milk widely suitable for sale in grocery stores and gives it a longer shelf life.
Raw milk, by contrast, is unpasteurised milk. It does not go through this heating stage, which is why it carries different food safety considerations and must be sold under strict government regulations.
How Raw Milk Is Produced and Supplied
Raw milk is supplied by licensed dairy farms that are legally permitted to sell raw drinking milk. These farms operate under food safety rules set out by government regulations and the Food Standards Agency.
At Foulgers Dairy, we do not produce raw milk ourselves. We sell raw milk supplied by approved dairy farms and deliver it to customers as part of our local milk delivery service. Our role is to make raw milk accessible while ensuring customers receive clear information to support informed choice.
Why Do People Choose To Drink This Milk?
People choose drinking raw milk for different reasons. Some prefer milk in its natural form. Others value taste, freshness, or minimal processing when selecting dairy products.
Some customers tell us raw milk suits their preferences around digestion or lactose intolerance, while others simply enjoy the flavour compared to pasteurised milk. Raw milk consumption is a personal choice and often reflects individual priorities around food products and sourcing.
Understanding the Health Warnings
It’s important to be clear about health warnings. As raw milk is unpasteurised milk, it can contain harmful bacteria, dangerous pathogens, or pathogenic microbes that would normally be reduced during commercial pasteurisation. These organisms harmful to humans can cause foodborne illness or food poisoning.
Public health guidance highlights that consuming raw milk carries serious health risks for some people. This is why raw milk intended for direct human consumption must carry a health warning and be sold under controlled conditions.
Who Should Take Extra Care with Raw Milk?
Official guidance advises that certain groups are at higher risk from raw milk consumption, including:
- Pregnant women
- Small children
- People with weakened immune systems or a compromised immune system
For these groups, the risk of foodborne illness and other health effects is higher. Anyone unsure should carefully consider their circumstances before consuming raw milk.
Is Raw Milk Safe?
Raw milk safe handling depends on sourcing, storage, and individual circumstances.
Raw milk may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli or other dangerous bacteria. Because it is not heat treated, food safety relies on hygiene controls at the dairy farm and careful handling after delivery.
Many people choose to drink raw milk regularly, but this choice should always be informed. Understanding shelf life, refrigeration, and health warnings is essential when consuming raw milk.
Is the Sale of It Legal?
Yes, the sale of raw milk is legal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland under strict government regulations.
Raw milk sales are permitted:
- Direct from registered dairy farms
- At farmers markets
- Through vending machines
- Via direct online sales and local delivery services
Raw drinking milk must meet food safety standards and include a health warning. In Scotland, the sale of raw milk is not permitted.
Buying Raw Milk Through Foulgers Dairy
At Foulgers Dairy, we sell raw milk and deliver it directly to customers who choose it as part of their milk consumption.
We work with approved dairy farms that are legally allowed to produce and sell raw milk. Our delivery service makes it easier to buy raw milk alongside other dairy products, without the need to travel to farms or collection points.
Buying raw milk through delivery also helps customers manage freshness and shelf life more easily.
Storing It At Home
Food safety continues at home. Because raw milk is unpasteurised milk, correct storage matters.
We recommend:
- Keeping raw milk refrigerated at all times
- Following use-by dates carefully
- Avoiding cross-contamination with other food products
Correct storage helps maintain quality and reduces risk.
Raw Milk Products and Other Dairy Foods
Raw milk is also used in some raw milk products, such as certain cheeses or ice cream made from raw milk. These dairy products may go through additional steps that affect safety and shelf life.
Milk products made from raw milk are different from drinking raw milk itself, and processing methods vary.
Making an Informed Choice
Raw milk is not suitable for everyone, but many people choose it as part of their diet. The key is informed choice.
Understanding how raw milk differs from pasteurised milk, being aware of health risks, and sourcing milk responsibly all matter. Clear labelling and regulation exist to support this decision-making process.
Get Raw Milk Delivered to Your Door
At Foulgers Dairy, we sell raw milk and deliver it locally alongside a full range of dairy products. If you choose raw milk, our delivery service makes buying raw milk straightforward, convenient, and transparent. We believe customers should have access to clear information and reliable supply when choosing the milk that’s right for them.
So, what is raw milk? It’s unpasteurised milk supplied by licensed dairy farms and sold under strict food safety rules. Many people choose raw milk for its natural qualities, while recognising the importance of health warnings and correct handling.
At Foulgers Dairy, we’re proud to sell raw milk responsibly and deliver it with the information customers need to make informed decisions.
