Health alert: Why this kind of milk could be harmful
Photo: How raw milk can be harmful (Freepik)
Raw, unprocessed milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization or any other heat treatment. It retains its natural composition and may contain microorganisms that can be hazardous to health, reports Verywell Health.
May contain dangerous bacteria
The Food and Drug Administration reports that raw cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk contains bacteria. Not all bacteria found in milk are harmful, but some can cause illness in humans.
Dangerous bacteria include:
- Campylobacter
- E. coli
- Listeria
- Salmonella
Harmful bacteria in raw milk can cause foodborne illnesses, known as poisoning.
Infection with harmful bacteria in milk can cause illness in humans, especially:
- Infants and young children
- Elderly people
- Pregnant women
Some myths and misconceptions claim that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk.
Why pasteurization is necessary
According to the journal Biomolecules, properly performed pasteurization destroys harmful bacteria in milk without affecting its nutritional value.
Pasteurization significantly reduces the likelihood of foodborne illness, making milk safer for consumption and for use in dairy products such as cheese.
Pasteurization is a heating process that destroys harmful bacteria in liquids. For milk, the process involves heating it to 63 degrees and then rapidly cooling it.
Dairy farmers typically do not pasteurize milk. It is transported to a processing facility, where it undergoes pasteurization and additional processing steps if necessary.
Symptoms of milk poisoning
Severe cases of milk poisoning can lead to serious illness requiring medical attention or hospitalization.
Symptoms of food poisoning may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Vomiting
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
