In an unprecedented convergence of politics, public health, and raw milk advocacy, Mark McAfee, CEO of Raw Farm in California, is reportedly under consideration for a policy role within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Trump administration. This news, revealed in recent reports linking McAfee to President-elect Trump’s appointee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., raises questions about the direction of food safety regulations in the United States.
McAfee’s potential appointment comes on the heels of significant controversy surrounding his company. Raw Farm has faced repeated health-related issues, including recalls of its unpasteurized dairy products after detections of avian influenza and Salmonella. These recalls, deemed necessary by public health officials to protect consumers from potential zoonotic disease outbreaks, have not deterred McAfee from claiming that the actions against his company amount to a “political witch hunt.” He contends that the recalls are an attempt to suppress the raw milk industry rather than legitimate safety measures.
The prospect of McAfee influencing national food safety policies is troubling. His alignment with Kennedy’s raw milk advocacy raises concerns about the balance between consumer choice and public health protections. While proponents of raw milk argue for the right to consume unpasteurized dairy, the public health risks—evidenced by outbreaks linked to Raw Farm’s products—cannot be overlooked.
If McAfee assumes a policy-making position within the FDA, it would signal a radical shift in the agency’s approach to food safety. Such a move could undermine decades of progress in protecting consumers from harmful pathogens. While the administration’s interest in revisiting regulations is not inherently negative, appointing someone with a history of regulatory noncompliance to shape policy sets a dangerous precedent.
Public health must remain a priority in any administration. If the Trump administration values the integrity of the FDA and the safety of the American food supply–and it’s likely they don’t, especially with RFK, Jr. near the top–it must ensure that appointees are equipped with both the expertise and the commitment to protect public health. The McAfee case highlights the broader challenge of navigating the intersection of personal liberties, industry interests, and public health—a challenge that demands careful and transparent decision-making.
BOTTOM LINE: Don’t count on Trump doing the right thing. While he has a reptilian ability for self-preservation, he is really bad at governance.
