Delaware residents can purchase raw milk directly from local dairy farms, following legislation that took effect in September 2024. The law allows consumers to buy unprocessed, unpasteurized and unhomogenized milk directly from dairy producers with the proper permits.

The legislation aims to support Delaware’s dairy farms while providing consumers with more choices in dairy products. However, health officials emphasize the importance of understanding the risks and facts about raw milk before making purchasing decisions.

What is raw milk?

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized — a process that involves heating milk to a high temperature for a certain amount of time to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. Proponents of raw milk argue it is a healthier, more nutritious option than pasteurized milk. Some consumers believe raw milk contains beneficial enzymes, probiotics and more natural vitamins that are destroyed during pasteurization.

Pasteurization involves heating beverages to kill disease-causing organisms. This process was first applied to milk in the late 1800s to combat public health threats like listeriosis, typhoid fever and tuberculosis. Today, pasteurization is a standard practice in the dairy industry to ensure milk is safe for consumption.

Raw v. pasteurized milk: 5 things to know

Health officials at the FDA and CDC warn that raw milk can contain pathogens that can cause serious illness. The risks of consuming untreated milk far outweigh any potential benefits. Here’s what to know:

1. Nutritional value: According to the FDA, pasteurization does not significantly change milk’s nutritional value. Both raw and pasteurized milk contain the same essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
2. Safety considerations: The CDC and FDA warn that raw milk can contain harmful bacteria and pathogens that pasteurization normally eliminates. These include E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.
3. Lactose content: If lactose intolerant, switching to raw milk won’t help. Both raw and pasteurized milk contain the same amount of lactose.
4. Allergies: Milk allergies are caused by proteins that remain unchanged whether the milk is raw or pasteurized. Switching to raw milk will not prevent allergic reactions.
5. Health claims: While some advocate for raw milk’s health benefits, scientific research has not confirmed any advantages of raw milk over pasteurized milk.

Raw milk and bird flu

Delaware’s law allowing raw milk sales comes as bird flu continues to spread across the country.

Dairy cattle, a significant source of human exposure to bird flu, play a key role in monitoring efforts. The virus’s discovery in dairy cattle across 16 states prompted the USDA to institute a proactive milk testing program. There are 15 dairy farms in the First State, as reported by researchers at the University of Delaware’s farm management program. Delaware joined the National Milk Testing Strategy earlier this month to ensure dairy products remain free of contamination.

In December, officials found several wild geese infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, along Delaware’s coast in Sussex County. Although most healthy individuals recover from illnesses linked to contaminated milk or bird flu exposure, severe or life-threatening symptoms can occur. In January, the U.S. reported its first death from H5N1 bird flu. The victim, a Louisiana resident over 65 with underlying health conditions, fell ill after contact with wild birds and a backyard flock.

This story was written with contributions from USA TODAY reporter Karen Weintraub. You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New Castle County.

The advisory began at 7 a.m. Sunday and will last until 1 a.m. Monday.

How much snow will Delaware receive?

New Castle County: Will have mixed precipitation early, but as temperatures drop the area is expected to receive 3 to 5 inches of snow. Snowfall rates of an inch per hour should develop at times this afternoon.

Kent Couty: Kent County should receive rain early and then around 1-2 inches of snow.

Sussex County: Sussex County is expected to start with rain and receive less than an inch of snow.

Most Delaware areas have already reached their high temperature for today. At 9 a.m., Wilmington was at 38 degrees.

How to protect yourself while driving: A winter emergency kit can save you if you’re stranded. What should be in your kit

What do you need to clear your driveway: Which is a better winter tool, a snow shovel or snowblower? It depends

After the snow moves off, a blast of frigid temperatures will move into the area. Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing tonight and remain there for several days. As a result, icy and slippery conditions may persist even after precipitation has ended.

How cold will it get in Delaware?

Delaware will face frigid temperatures early next week with sub-zero windchills.

New Castle County

In New Castle County, the low Sunday night will drop to 16. Monday will be sunny with highs around 22. Monday night, lows will drop to 5 degrees. Tuesday will be mostly cloudy with highs near 17. Tuesday night there is a chance of snow with lows dropping to 6 degrees. Wednesday is calling for sunny skies and a high of 16. Wednesday night will be clear with lows hitting 2 degrees.

The temperatures will start warming up on Thursday, and by Saturday New Castle County could break the freezing mark.

Keep you children warm: Cold temperatures are coming to Delaware. How to dress children for winter weather

Kent County

After Sunday’s snow, Monday will be sunny with a high of around 25. Monday night will be clear with lows dropping to 8 degrees. Tuesday is calling for partly cloudy skies and highs only reaching 21 degrees. Tuesday night there is a chance of snow with lows falling to 10 degrees. Wednesday will be clear with highs around 19 degrees and Wednesday night lows will drop to 5 degrees.

Kent County is forecasted to get above freezing on Friday with Saturday’s high around 37 degrees.

Sussex County

Sussex County will also see frigid temperatures after Sunday’s snowfall as highs Monday will hit 26 degrees and the overnight low will drop to 8 degrees. Tuesday will be cloudy with highs around 22 degrees. There’s a chance of snow with lows dropping to 11 degrees on Tuesday night. Wednesday will be sunny with highs around 20 degrees and Wednesday night will be the coldest with lows around 5 degrees.

Sussex County could break the freezing mark on Thursday as highs reach 30 degrees. Friday should have temperatures around 34 and Saturday will see highs around 40 degrees.

What is wind chill?

According to the National Weather Service, wind chill is a term used to describe what the air temperature feels like to the human skin due to the combination of cold temperatures and winds blowing on exposed skin. In simple terms, the colder the air temperature and the higher the wind speeds the colder it will feel on your skin if you’re outside. So even if it remains the same temperature, but the wind speed increases it will feel colder to your skin.

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

14-31-35-64-69, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 0-4-8

Night: 3-7-6

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 4-5-7-9

Night: 8-0-9-9

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

05-08-13-15-22-32

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

04-12-13-32-43, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

16-28-41-47-52, Star Ball: 03, ASB: 04

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from Jan. 18 drawing

Day: 7-7-5-0-2

Night: 6-9-4-2-7

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

• Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
• Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
• Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
• Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
• For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
• Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
• Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
• Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.