SILVER SPRING, MD. – With June and National Dairy Month coming to a close, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took the opportunity to reiterate the risks associated with consuming raw, unpasteurized milk.
FDA shared that unpasteurized milk can contain “harmful germs that could lead to foodborne illnesses.”
The federal agency recommended consumers protect themselves from such ailments associated with raw milk products by learning the facts and practicing safe food handling.
Per FDA, people who are at higher risk of contracting infections of foodborne illnesses are those with weakened immune systems, children, teenagers, older adults and those who are pregnant.
Pasteurization, FDA noted, involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to kill harmful germs. Germs in raw milk, the agency added, can lead to foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, e. coli, campylobacter and listeria. FDA said such sicknesses often are more generally called food poisoning, and advised that symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms.
What’s more, FDA warned that any animal milk or animal milk product made with milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process is considered unpasteurized or raw.
When buying dairy products, FDA suggested reading labels, as most pasteurized dairy products indicate on the packaging label whether the process took place.
Additionally, FDA recommended if consumers encounter any concerns or doubts about raw milk that they ask a grocer or store clerk while shopping, contact a manufacturer, ask a server to confirm with a chef at a restaurant, and confirm with sellers at farmers’ markets.
To prevent misinformation, FDA also looked to dispel what it described as common “milk myths.” The organization offered the following facts:
• Pasteurizing milk does not reduce milk's nutritional value.
• Pasteurizing milk does not mean that it's safe to leave at room temperature for extended periods of time.
• Pasteurizing milk does not cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions.
• Pasteurizing milk kills harmful germs, which in turn saves lives.
• Raw milk and raw milk products marketed for pets and animals are not safe for people to eat or drink.
FDA also shared a list of dairy products that are considered low risk:
• Pasteurized milk or cream
• Hard cheeses such as cheddar and parmesan
• Soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk such as brie, camembert and blue-veined varieties
• Processed cheeses, such as American cheese or cheese spreads
• Cream cheese, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese made from pasteurized milk
• Yogurt, pudding, ice cream and frozen yogurt made from pasteurized milk
Conversely, the following products noted by FDA are considered high risk:
• Unpasteurized milk or cream
• Soft cheeses like brie or camembert made from unpasteurized milk
• Queso-fresco type cheeses like queso fresco, queso blanco, and requesón made with both pasteurized and unpasteurized milk
• Yogurt, pudding, ice cream and frozen yogurt made from unpasteurized milk
