Raw milk, which comes straight from the cow, sheep, or goat and has not been pasteurized, is subject to tight regulations in the UK. It can only be sold directly to consumers by registered producers, such as at farms, farmers' markets, or through delivery rounds. In Scotland, raw milk is banned entirely. The Food Standards Agency warns that raw milk poses particular risks to pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems, as it can cause food poisoning.
As an alternative to raw milk, the Modern Milkman has launched 'brewed milk' this month, sourced from Mossgiel Organic Dairy in Ayrshire. Brewed milk is priced at £2.80 for a one-litre glass bottle. Mossgiel's brewed milk uses a lower-temperature pasteurization process, heating to 68°C for five minutes, which the company says uses about 90% less energy than conventional methods, positioning it as a more sustainable option.
Demand for full-fat milk is soaring in the UK, as consumers ditch semi-skimmed and plant-based alternatives. Sales of butter are also rising, and cottage cheese is much more popular. Supermarkets say demand for Jersey milk and whole milk in general has more than doubled in the past two years. Tesco reports selling three million more litres of Jersey milk last year than in 2023. Ocado says sales of Jersey milk were more than 200% higher in February 2025 compared to February 2024. Graham's, one of Britain's biggest dairy producers, says demand for Jersey milk is now at its highest in 50 years. Graham's sales of Gold Jersey milk have risen by 40% in the past year. Full-fat 'gold top' Jersey milk is selling at its highest rate for almost 50 years, reflecting a significant shift in consumer preferences toward richer dairy products.
At Fen Farm Dairy in Suffolk, raw milk sales have seen a 32% increase year on year, illustrating the growing appeal of unpasteurized options despite regulatory and health concerns.