Manchester City striker Erling Haaland said he drinks raw milk as part of a diet focused on minimally processed foods [1].
Public health experts are concerned that the high-profile athlete's habits could encourage others to consume raw milk despite significant bacterial risks. Because Haaland maintains a massive global following, his nutritional choices often influence fans and aspiring athletes.
Haaland discussed his regimen on a Manchester City podcast recorded in Manchester, UK [2]. He described his approach to nutrition as a commitment to "real food" [3]. This philosophy includes the consumption of beef organs and raw milk [4].
"The answer is quite short, to be honest, and simple: real food," Haaland said [3].
However, health officials warn that raw milk—defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as milk from cows, sheep, or goats that has not been pasteurized—can contain harmful bacteria [5]. While some proponents argue for its nutrient density, others note the dangers of contamination. Paul Saladino said raw milk coffee is a great source of nutrients, but added that consumers have to be careful about bacterial contamination [6].
This dietary revelation follows a period of high visibility for the Norwegian striker. Haaland played in a World Cup match on June 16, 2026, at Boston’s Gillette Stadium [7]. During that debut match, Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 [8].
Despite the athletic success associated with his training and diet, the medical community remains wary. Experts cited by MSN Health said the "Viking diet" could lead a wider population to bypass pasteurization, a process designed to kill pathogens, increasing the risk of foodborne illness [4].
“"The answer is quite short, to be honest, and simple: real food."”
The tension between celebrity-endorsed 'ancestral' diets and established public health guidelines creates a risk where anecdotal success is mistaken for medical safety. While Haaland's physical performance is elite, health officials emphasize that pasteurization is a critical safety barrier that prevents widespread outbreaks of bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which raw dairy can harbor regardless of the consumer's fitness level.
