Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, which means it has not been heated to kill harmful bacteria and other microorganisms.
Pasteurization is a process that was invented in the 19th century to prevent diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and diphtheria from spreading through contaminated milk.
Some countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe, have laws that prohibit or regulate the sale and consumption of raw milk, because they consider it a public health risk. Other countries, such as France, Italy, Switzerland, and some parts of Africa and Asia, allow raw milk to be sold and consumed, either freely or under certain conditions.
Raw milk advocates claim that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk, because it contains beneficial enzymes, bacteria, vitamins, and minerals that are destroyed by heat.
They also argue that raw milk can boost the immune system, prevent allergies, and treat various ailments.
However, there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims, and many health authorities warn that the risks of raw milk outweigh any potential benefits. Raw milk can carry pathogens that cause serious and sometimes fatal illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, brucellosis, and E. coli. These pathogens can affect anyone, but especially vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, elderly people, and people with weakened immune systems.
Therefore, if you are considering drinking raw milk, you should be aware of the possible dangers and take precautions to minimize the risk of contamination. You should only buy raw milk from trusted sources that follow good hygiene practices and test their milk regularly for pathogens. You should also keep the raw milk refrigerated at all times and consume it as soon as possible. You should avoid giving raw milk to young children or people with medical conditions that make them more susceptible to infections. And you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms of foodborne illness, such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or flu-like signs. Raw milk is not a miracle food, and it may not be worth the gamble.
From 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks caused by drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. Among those illnesses, 48% affected people aged 0–19 years.
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