Is Raw Unpasteurised Milk Safe? Experts Explain the Health Risks

Raw milk or unpasteurised milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization, which refers to the process of heating liquids to kill pathogens. This makes milk safe to consume. How risky is the consumption of raw unpasteurised milk? This article will explain it to you. 

To understand this better, we reached out to Dr Geetika Chopra, Celebrity Holistic Nutritionist, New Delhi.    

Is Raw Unpasteurised Milk Good or Bad For Health? 

Dr Chopra says that she recommends being very cautious with raw unpasteurised milk. “While many people consider it more natural or less processed, the reality is that raw milk can carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E coli, and Listeria, which may cause serious food poisoning, digestive infections, fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In vulnerable individuals such as children, pregnant women, elderly people, or those with weak immunity, the risks can become much more serious,” adds the expert.

The expert continues, “Some people feel raw milk tastes better or believe it contains more natural enzymes; but from a scientific and safety perspective, I usually recommend pasteurised milk because it significantly lowers the risk of dangerous infections while still providing important nutrients.”

Tips to Choose Raw Milk The Right Way

Dr Chopra says that if someone still chooses raw milk, I advise the following:

• Source it only from hygienic, and trusted farms.
• Keeping it refrigerated properly.
• Never consuming spoiled milk. 

“Overall, what I recommend to my clients is prioritising safety, hygiene, and quality over food trends, especially when it comes to dairy,” adds the expert.

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), these are the symptoms of foodborne illnesses caused by raw milk:

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body ache

The FDA report further notes that most healthy people do recover from an illness caused by harmful germs in raw milk or in foods made with raw milk within a short period. However, some may develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening. It adds that if you fall ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk, visit a doctor immediately. The FDA report also describes what pasteurization is. It refers to a widely used process that kills harmful germs by heating milk to a specific temperature for a certain period of time. 

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Conclusion

Raw milk may carry harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E coli, and Listeria. These can lead to serious cases of food poisoning, digestive infections, fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In vulnerable individuals such as children, pregnant women, elderly people, or those with weak immunity, the risks can turn even more fatal.