How can a substance so innocent and white cause such a heated debate? “Raw” milk (insert scary sound effects here) is a hotly debated topic between food producers, consumers and the government. So here are some basic facts about raw milk – straight from the cow.
Raw milk can often be contaminated with pathogens – disease causing micro-organisms, either directly through organisms shed as a result of udder infection or indirectly. Cows can suffer some mastitis (milk fever) just like a breast feeding mom can. There can be Indirect contamination may arise from (i) a cow’s own faecal matter contaminating the udder and teats, or (ii) faecal matter of other cows contaminating the udder – not sure when last you observed a cow’s toilet habits but they aren’t pretty.
The dairy itself can also contribute to contamination as the milking clusters can contacting surfaces with faecal contamination and then poor hygiene in the dairy itself.
You don’t believe me – then make sure you pay a visit to a dairy to check out my facts. While some may be cleaner than others the fact remains – it is a cow after all.
Now while you won’t be able to see the micro-organisms, hundreds of university studies all around the world have proved their existence. Google that if you don’t believe me.
Another interesting fact is that all the major governments in the world highlight the risk of drinking raw milk. Not sure what conspiracy theory we would need to link them all in that regard? Even the World Health Organisation agrees.
Even South Africa has a regulation that defines how milk must be treated to ensure it is safe. The time and temperature for heat treating the milk or pasteurizing it is a legal requirement – for your health’s sake. There are municipal districts where raw milk may be sold but only with permission.
Common myths and proven facts about milk and pasteurization:
- Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
- Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
- Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened.
- Pasteurization DOES kill harmful bacteria.
Symptoms to look out for
While most healthy people will recover from an illness caused by harmful bacteria in raw milk - or in foods made with raw milk - within a short period of time, some can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening. Your symptoms may include
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Flulike symptoms such as fever, headache, and body ache
Make sure you get to the doctor and don’t forget to tell him or her that you drank raw milk or ate raw milk products.
Want more info (and all the gory details?) You can read more here:
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/proposals/documents/P1007%20PPPS%20for%20raw%20milk%201AR%20SD1%20Cow%20milk%20Risk%20Assessment.pdf
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/43597/1/WHO_CDS_EPR_2006.7_eng.pdf?ua=1
https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-index.html
