Commentary. 

In recent months, I have come across many people who are firm believers that raw milk contains nutrients that are not present in the same milk, once pasteurized. These advocates of non-pasteurized milk come from all economic and social backgrounds.

I respect an adult individual’s decision to eat and drink what they want to eat and drink. I don’t like over-regulation and government trampling all over individual rights. However, I am afraid that many – perhaps most – of the people who drink raw milk are unaware of health risks associated with its consumption.

Most of the people that I know who drink raw milk truly believe it is somehow better for their children – including their unborn children – than pasteurized milk. The well-researched and scientifically documented truth of the matter is that these people are misinformed and are taking great risks with the health of their families.

Raw milk does not cure asthma or allergies. It does not cure lactose intolerance. Raw milk is not more effective in preventing osteoporosis than pasteurized milk. Raw milk does not help build a child’s immune system. Raw milk is not more nutritional than pasteurized milk. The Food and Drug Administration says that although the heating process slightly affects a few of the vitamins-thiamine, vitamin B6 and folic acid within the B-complex, and vitamin C, the changes are not significant.

Raw milk might contain disease-causing pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Brucella speces and Campylobacter jejuni. Pregnant women, babies, young children, older folks and those with compromised immune systems are in the greatest danger of contracting an illness caused by these bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control warns that pregnant women are 20 times more likely to become ill if exposed to listeria. The symptoms might be flu-like or she might have no symptoms, but listeria in pregnancy can cause a woman to miscarry, have a stillborn child, delivery prematurely or at the least, the baby might be born with an infection.

E.Coli 0157:H7 can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excruciating abdominal pain, fever, headache, overall body aches, acute renal failure, seizures and stroke. It can kill you.

Salmonella, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excruciating abdominal pain, fever, headache, muscle pain and bloody stools can last four to seven days, but it could take months before your bowels return to normal. It, too, can kill you.

Most people in overall good health will recover from an illness caused by harmful bacteria in raw milk – or in foods made with raw milk – pretty quickly. But some individuals can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life threatening.

Pasteurization is a process during which raw milk is heated to 161 degrees and kept there for a few seconds, then cooled immediately. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria that can contaminate milk.

Before pasteurization, many people suffered tuberculosis, diphtheria – even typhoid fever – brought on by bacteria in raw milk. In the early 1900’s, my great-grandmothers boiled milk from their cows before giving it to my then-infant grandparents because they knew the risks associated with drinking raw milk.

Not all raw milk and products made from it contain harmful bacteria. But for me, it’s just not worth the risk.