Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm has finally broken her silence following intense scrutiny over contaminated raw milk sold at her Utah farm stand. The popular lifestyle influencer, known for promoting traditional homesteading values to millions of followers, posted a video response attempting to reassure customers that all products sold were completely safe. This is despite health inspection records telling a different story.
According to reports from local outlet KPCW, Utah health inspectors discovered troubling violations during routine milk testing conducted in late May and early June. The screenings revealed high levels of coliform bacteria, which includes E. coli, in Ballerina Farm’s raw milk.
Following these unsatisfactory results, the farm ceased raw milk sales in August. While representatives claimed the milk had passed necessary tests for Utah sales, critics have dubbed the operation “Bacteria Farm” across social media platforms.
In her video statement, Neeleman insisted that “all the raw milk that we have ever served has been 100% safe, absolutely delicious” and that “no one was ever sick from any of our milk that we sold.”
She characterized the decision to stop selling raw milk as purely economic, explaining that most of their milk was already going to pasteurization for other products like butter and ice cream. Notably absent from her response was any acknowledgment of the inspection findings.
There has been a growing trend among certain influencers who champion raw milk consumption as “liquid gold” and promote it as beneficial for health and skin quality. Neeleman herself previously told media outlets that raw milk was the secret behind her complexion, and shared videos of her children drinking directly from their cows.
This movement, connected to “Make America Healthy Again” advocacy, has concerned public health experts who warn of serious risks, particularly for pregnant women and children.
The BBC reported that a newborn baby recently passed away in New Mexico from a listeria infection believed to have been contracted when the infant’s mother consumed raw milk during pregnancy. Microbiologists emphasize that pasteurization removes harmful bacteria without diminishing nutritional value, contrary to claims made by raw milk proponents.
Adding to the growing list of revelations about Ballerina Farm’s business practices, Neeleman also disclosed in her video that their popular protein powder, sold for approximately $60 plus shipping, does not actually contain milk from their own cows.
Instead, the whey comes from grass-fed cows in Ireland, a detail not prominently featured in their marketing materials. This admission follows previous discoveries that the farm’s croissants are produced by an outside bakery and their wooden charcuterie boards are made by another artisan.
Supporters within the alternative health community have rallied around Neeleman, framing criticism as politically motivated attacks on traditional family values rather than legitimate health and transparency concerns.
