The use of raw, unpasteurized milk remains somewhat popular among various groups. The arguments I hear the most are how much better it tastes, and how much healthier it is. Many people believe that pasteurization destroys some natural compounds in the milk, making it less healthy. I cannot attest to the claim that the taste is better, since I have not tasted raw milk since I milked “Rosebud” in elementary school (I think I still have the button somewhere). I can say that there is little scientific evidence that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk, but I suspect that heating the milk to that degree does change some compounds in the milk. How could it not? But there is, at this time, no evidence that this reduces any health benefit from the milk.
One thing is certain, however: raw, unpasteurized milk poses a significant health risk for infection, especially in children and pregnant women. Raw milk commonly contains E. coli bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal infections. Certain strains (O157) can cause a very serious or fatal disease, especially in children, called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), where the infection affects the kidneys. Drinking raw milk can also lead to other infections, including Salmonella and Listeria. When pasteurization was discovered and developed, it was like a miracle, drastically decreasing horrible and often deadly infectious diseases. We continue to benefit from this discovery today. Today, drinking raw milk leads to stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women, and meningitis, HUS, and other serious and fatal infections in children.
For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued new recommendations against the use of raw milk in children and pregnant women. I completely agree. There are no known health benefits to raw milk compared with pasteurized milk, and there are definite risks of harm, including death. The report also recommends stronger laws in many states to restrict the sale of raw milk; I disagree with this. Americans ought to have the right to drink, and to buy, something as natural and fundamental as cow’s milk. Do I think it is a good idea? No, I do not. It especially should not be given to children. Do I think we ought to have a right to take the risk? Yes, I do. Adults in particular should be allowed to make this decision for themselves. But I strongly recommend against it, and it should never be given to children, especially young children.
AAP Press Release (and link to article)
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