In this follow-up conversation with Raw Farm's CEO & Founder Mark McAfee, we explore the nuanced differences between raw milk and UV pasteurization technology. Mark shares his expert perspective on UV treatment as a middle ground between raw milk and traditional heat pasteurization, explaining why it preserves some bioactives while eliminating the beneficial bacterial diversity that makes raw milk unique.

We dive into the technical aspects of milk safety, including Raw Farm's advanced PCR testing protocols that provide daily pathogen screening, and discuss the practical challenges of scaling raw milk production. Mark also shares his guide on how to source clean raw milk from your local farm.

About Mark McAfee

Mark McAfee founded the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) in 2011 to assure that farmers had a resource to assist them in producing very low risk raw milk for their consumers. Mark is passionate about “grass to glass” risk reduction management on the farm, and he believes that raw milk cannot emerge as a trusted food unless it is very low risk. He is certified in HACCP management from Chapman University and has developed and implemented award winning Food Safety Plans including Raw Milk Risk Analysis & Management Plans (“RAMP”).

Links & Resources

• Intro to raw milk episode with Mark McAfee and Max Kane
• Bob Comstock episode on UV pasteurization technology
• Guide: How to Find a Good Raw Milk Farmer
• Raw milk finder: https://www.realmilk.com/raw-milk-finder/
• Raw Farm website: https://rawfarm.com
• Cornell University 2021 study on bioactives in milk

Discounts

• Get 10% off delicious local farm-fresh food delivered to your door with my link for FarmMatch: https://farmmatch.com/jane
• Get 15% off high-quality Italian olive oil with code FARMTOFUTURE: https://shop.vignolifood.com/FARMTOFUTURE
• Get 40% the CircleDNA’s Premium DNA test with code JANEZHANG: https://circledna.com/premium

Connect with Jane Z.

• Instagram: @farm.to.future
• Email: jane@farmtofuture.co
• Website: farmtofuture.co

What if we could have all the immune-boosting benefits of raw milk without any of the safety risks? That's the promise of today's episode.

Bob Comstock is the CEO of Tamarack Biotics and inventor of a revolutionary UV pasteurization technology that just received FDA approval after 12 years of development. Unlike traditional heat pasteurization that destroys up to 70% of milk's beneficial compounds, Bob's "cold pasteurization" process preserves 93-100% of bioactive proteins while eliminating dangerous pathogens.

European studies have consistently shown that children who consume raw milk are protected from developing asthma, hay fever, eczema, and food allergies – conditions that now affect nearly half of all children. But the scientific community has confirmed that heating milk destroys this protective effect. Bob's UV technology could be the key to making these health benefits safely accessible to everyone.

Bob shares the fascinating origin story of how he discovered this technology while living in Singapore, the hundreds of pathogens they had to test against for FDA approval, and why a regulation from the 1970s nearly derailed the entire project. He also discusses their clinical trials showing elderly participants had 120% more antibodies after consuming UV-treated milk protein compared to traditional whey protein, and their upcoming studies on allergy prevention in children.

This technology could revolutionize not just the dairy industry, but potentially help address America's chronic disease epidemic by making truly nutritious milk widely available for the first time in over 150 years.

About Bob Comstock

Bob Comstock is the founder and CEO of Tamarack Biotics, a food‑tech company based in Fresno, California. With a Mechanical Engineering degree from UC Berkeley, Bob launched Tamarack in 2011 to pioneer healthier dairy solutions. Before starting Tamarack Biotics, he started Compass Foods, which developed the world’s most water soluble food grade emulsifier.

Under his leadership, Tamarack developed TruActive®, the first FDA‑accepted UV‑based milk treatment that kills pathogens while retaining enzymes, proteins, and immune‑boosting bioactives—without traditional pasteurization.

Discounts

• Get 10% off delicious local farm-fresh food delivered to your door with my link for FarmMatch: https://farmmatch.com/jane
• Get 15% off high-quality Italian olive oil with code FARMTOFUTURE: https://shop.vignolifood.com/FARMTOFUTURE
• Get 40% the CircleDNA’s Premium DNA test with code JANEZHANG: https://circledna.com/premium

Connect with Jane Z.

• Instagram: @farm.to.future
• Email: jane@farmtofuture.co
• Website: farmtofuture.co

The HHS, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently released the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) commission report — a comprehensive 68-page document focusing on childhood health and chronic disease. What's exciting about this report is it's the first time ultra-processed foods are being recognized as a serious public health concern at this policy level.

Chef Dr. Mike has been fighting the battle against UPFs for over 20 years, and today we talk about how the food industry influences research, how scientists like Mike have been silenced for speaking out against ultra-processed foods, and why this moment could be the turning point we need.

About Chef Dr. Mike:
Dr. Michael Fenster is a cardiologist turned culinary medicine expert who combines his medical expertise with a deep understanding of food science and cooking. He teaches healthcare providers and the public about the connections between food, health, and medicine through his work with culinary medicine programs and his weekly column at the Center for Food is Medicine.

Links & Resources

• MAHA Commission Report
• Chef Dr. Mike's TED Talk on NOVA Classification
• NOVA Classification cheat sheet
• Consensus App - AI tool for searching scientific papers
• My episode with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (food rescue nonprofit)
• Study Spotlight: Xenobiotics in blood and urine from ultra-processed foods
• Book: Food Politics by Marion Nestle

Discounts

• Get 10% off delicious local farm-fresh food delivered to your door with my link for FarmMatch: https://farmmatch.com/jane
• Get 15% off high-quality Italian olive oil with code FARMTOFUTURE: https://shop.vignolifood.com/FARMTOFUTURE
• Get 40% the CircleDNA’s Premium DNA test with code JANEZHANG: https://circledna.com/premium

Connect with Jane Z.

• Instagram: @farm.to.future
• Email: jane@farmtofuture.co
• Website: farmtofuture.co