Is Prairie Farm Milk Safe? A Comprehensive Analysis

December 18, 2025 •

3 min read

In February 2025, a deadly Listeria outbreak linked to frozen shakes produced at a Prairie Farms facility highlighted the critical importance of dairy food safety, though the company’s standard pasteurized milk is not considered at-risk. For years, the company has emphasized its farmer-owned status and commitment to quality.

Quick Summary

Pasteurized Prairie Farms milk is generally safe due to standard processing that eliminates harmful bacteria; however, past recalls, such as a 2025 Listeria outbreak at one facility involving specific shakes, show vigilance is necessary.

Key Points

Pasteurized and Generally Safe: Standard Prairie Farms milk undergoes pasteurization, a heat treatment that kills harmful bacteria and is endorsed by health organizations like the FDA and CDC.
Recent Recall Involving Shakes: A severe Listeria outbreak was linked to frozen shakes produced at a Prairie Farms facility in February 2025, though this did not involve standard consumer milk products.
Extensive Quality Control: The company has a robust Cow Care Program, conducts tests on raw milk before processing, and has a policy of no added synthetic hormones (rBGH).
Raw Milk is Inherently Risky: Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk can contain dangerous pathogens, and health agencies strongly advise against its consumption.
Recalls Prompt Vigilance: The presence of past recalls, even for specific products, emphasizes that consumers should always remain informed about food safety and practice proper food handling.
Not all Products Equal: The Listeria outbreak was tied to specific supplemental shakes, not the everyday carton of milk found in the grocery store dairy aisle.

The Cornerstone of Dairy Safety: Pasteurization

Pasteurization is the single most important step in ensuring commercial milk is safe to drink. This heating process kills harmful bacteria like Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella, which can be present in raw milk. Prairie Farms uses standard pasteurization and, for some shelf-stable products, ultra-high-temperature (UHT) pasteurization, to ensure product safety and quality. This process is endorsed by public health organizations like the FDA and CDC.

Standard Pasteurization: Heats milk to a specific temperature for a set time, effectively killing pathogens while preserving nutritional value.
Ultra-High Temperature (UHT): Involves heating milk to a much higher temperature for a shorter duration, resulting in a shelf-stable product that does not require refrigeration until opened.
Nutritional Integrity: Contrary to some misconceptions, pasteurization does not significantly destroy the nutritional value of milk, including essential minerals and protein.

Prairie Farms' Quality Control and Production Standards

As a farmer-owned cooperative, Prairie Farms outlines specific programs to ensure the safety and quality of its milk from farm to table.

Cow Care Program: This program details guidelines for animal health, housing, nutrition, and milking procedures, with third-party verification to ensure integrity.
No Added Hormones: Since 2008, Prairie Farms has followed a policy against using added synthetic bovine growth hormone (rBGH).
Antibiotic Monitoring: While a third-party source noted potential moderate concern for antibiotic use, the company states it tests milk to be free of antibiotics upon arrival at the plant.

Acknowledging and Understanding Past Recalls

While Prairie Farms operates under regulated safety standards, the company has faced recalls related to specific products.

February 2025 Listeria Outbreak: A deadly Listeria outbreak, which led to multiple deaths, was traced to frozen supplemental shakes produced at a Prairie Farms plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. These shakes were primarily distributed to long-term care facilities and hospitals. The company voluntarily recalled the affected products and fully cooperated with the FDA and CDC in the investigation.
December 2023 Holiday Nog Recall: Prairie Farms initiated a voluntary recall of specific private-label Holiday Nog batches due to an undeclared egg allergen. This was a labeling issue rather than a contamination issue, but it underscores the need for rigorous quality assurance.

Pasteurization vs. Raw Milk: A Safety Comparison


Feature	Pasteurized Milk (e.g., Prairie Farms)	Raw Milk
Safety from Pathogens	Harmful bacteria are killed during processing, making it significantly safer.	Can contain dangerous bacteria, including Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella, that can cause severe illness.
Regulatory Status	Regulated by the FDA and state agencies for processing and distribution.	Sale and distribution are regulated by state law, but federal law prohibits interstate sale.
Contamination Risk	Very low risk of contamination when handled properly and kept refrigerated.	High risk of foodborne illness, even with strict on-farm hygiene practices.
Vulnerable Populations	Safe for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.	Poses significant and unnecessary risks for these groups.
Nutritional Content	Retains key nutrients like calcium and high-quality protein.	Contains similar nutritional content; claims of superior nutrition are largely unfounded.

Practical Steps for Consumer Safety

Always check products for any active recall information through reputable sources like the FDA. The FDA Recall website is a valuable resource for updated information.
Practice proper handling and storage of milk products by refrigerating opened cartons and consuming them before the expiration date.
If you have specific health concerns, such as being immunocompromised, always opt for pasteurized milk and dairy products.

Conclusion

In conclusion, standard pasteurized milk from Prairie Farms is a safe product for consumers when handled correctly, benefiting from the industry-standard pasteurization process that eliminates dangerous bacteria. The company also maintains its own quality assurance measures and a no-added-hormones policy. However, the 2025 Listeria outbreak linked to a specific type of shake produced at one plant serves as a critical reminder that consumer vigilance and transparent communication are always necessary, regardless of a company's overall reputation. Consumers should stay informed and rely on facts about pasteurization and recall history to make the best decisions for their health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Prairie Farms milk is pasteurized, with some products undergoing ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization, which is a key safety measure to kill harmful bacteria.

In February 2025, a Listeria outbreak was linked to frozen supplemental shakes produced at a Prairie Farms facility. These products were recalled, and while the incident was serious, it was specific to the shakes and did not affect standard milk.

No, Prairie Farms states that its milk comes from cows that have not been treated with synthetic bovine growth hormone (rBGH) and has adhered to this policy since 2008.

While a third-party report noted that antibiotics were 'likely used' in production, Prairie Farms tests all milk upon arrival at the plant to ensure it is free of antibiotics before processing.

Pasteurization does not significantly alter the nutritional value of milk. The milk retains all of its key nutrients, including protein and calcium.

After opening, refrigerated Prairie Farms milk should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 7 days for the best quality and safety.

Yes, pasteurized milk from Prairie Farms is safe for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health organizations recommend only pasteurized dairy for children and other vulnerable populations.

As a large, farmer-owned cooperative that follows federal regulations and conducts its own quality testing, Prairie Farms is generally considered a reliable brand. However, recent recalls show that like all food producers, they are not immune to potential issues.