In 2021, it was estimated that each person in the United States consumed 134 pounds of milk. The majority of that milk was likely pasteurized milk and not raw milk, which is milk that hasn’t been heated to kill bacteria.
Raw milk isn’t considered safe to drink due to the potential for bacterial contamination, which can result in illness.
In this article, we’ll dive into the ins and outs of raw milk and pasteurized milk, as well as outline the potential risks and benefits of drinking raw milk.
What is raw milk?
Raw milk refers to mammal milk (mainly cow’s milk, but it can also be goat’s milk, among others) that hasn’t been pasteurized to kill potentially harmful bacteria.
What is pasteurization? It’s when milk is heated to a certain temperature for a specified period of time to kill bacteria. The length of time needed to heat the milk depends on the temperature. For instance, milk can be heated at lower temps (145 degrees Fahrenheit) for longer (30 minutes) or at higher temps for a shorter period.
Most pasteurized milk is heated at 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds.
A side note – plant-based milk can be pasteurized, too – and usually is for food safety concerns.
Why do people choose raw milk?
So why choose unpasteurized raw milk?
Pasteurization kills bacteria, but it can also degrade nutrients like certain B vitamins, vitamin C, fats, and enzymes. That’s why raw milk drinkers choose raw milk – it’s higher in nutrients and enzymes that can otherwise be reduced or destroyed with high temperatures.
Some raw milk drinkers also claim that it tastes richer and creamier than pasteurized milk, among other perceived benefits.
Potential dangers of raw milk
The main risk of drinking raw milk is the potential for bacterial contamination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has this to say about raw milk:
“Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk can carry harmful germs, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. These germs can pose serious health risks to you and your family.”
Very rarely, certain foodborne illnesses can cause more serious health issues like Guillain-Barré syndrome and life-threatening issues including kidney damage, stroke, and death, which the CDC also notes.
Certain foodborne illnesses are especially harmful to pregnant women because they can harm the developing baby. Listeria is one of the most dangerous foodborne illnesses pregnant women can become sick with.
Is it safe to drink raw milk?
Most health authorities agree that raw milk isn’t recommended due to safety concerns. Bacteria can be present in raw milk from many sources, including infected cow’s udders (mastitis), the environment (soil, manure, etc.), and farming equipment.
If you choose to drink raw milk, it’s recommended to store it properly to reduce potential bacterial growth.
If you’re at high risk of getting sick due to a weakened immune system, you’re at even greater risk of getting sick from bacteria.
Examples of high-risk populations include:
- Pregnant women
- People over the age of 65
- Young children
- Immunocompromised people (e.g. taking immunosuppressive drugs, etc.)
The bottom line is that it isn’t considered safe to drink raw milk. Like any other decision, it comes down to personal choice and weighing the potential risks and benefits, though.
FAQs:
Raw milk is legal to consume in all 50 states, yet it’s illegal to sell raw milk in New Jersey.
Raw milk usually lasts around 7-10 days when stored properly (36-38 degrees Fahrenheit).
Raw milk is legal to consume, but the FDA banned the interstate sale of raw milk. That means that you can purchase raw milk, but it can’t be sold outside of state lines. Individual states may have their own regulations regarding the sale of raw milk as well.
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