From Newsgroup: comp.os.linux.advocacy

He may be used to going up to the cow and sucking direct from the teat but civilized people don't do that.


The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from
1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk
These outbreaks caused 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. CDC points out that most foodborne illnesses are not a part of recognized outbreaks,
and for every illness reported, many others occur.

Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, and goats — or any other animal — that
has not been pasteurized to kill harmful germs. Raw milk can carry
dangerous germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and others that cause foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.”

These germs can seriously injure the health of anyone who drinks raw milk
or eats products made from raw milk. However, the germs in raw milk can be especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems (such as transplant patients and individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes), children, older adults, and pregnant women. In fact, CDC finds that
foodborne illness from raw milk especially affects children and teenagers. "Pasteurized Milk" Explained

Pasteurization is a widely used process that kills harmful germs by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time. First developed by Louis Pasteur in 1864, pasteurization kills harmful organisms responsible
for such diseases as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria,
Q fever, and brucellosis.

The Dangers of Listeria and Pregnancy

Pregnant women run a serious risk of becoming ill from the germ Listeria, which is often found in raw milk and can cause miscarriage, or illness, or death of the newborn baby. If you are pregnant, drinking raw milk — or
eating foods made from raw milk — can harm your baby even if you don’t feel sick.

Raw Milk and Serious Illness
Symptoms and Advice

Symptoms of foodborne illness usually include:

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

While most healthy people will recover from an illness caused by harmful
germs in raw milk – or in foods made with raw milk – within a short time,
some can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-
threatening. If you or someone you know becomes ill after consuming raw
milk or products made from raw milk – or if you are pregnant and think you
may have consumed contaminated raw milk or cheese – see a healthcare professional immediately.

Grocery clerk showing a woman a half gallon milk label

Raw Milk & Pasteurization: Debunking Milk Myths

While pasteurization has helped provide safe, nutrient-rich milk and cheese for over 120 years, some people continue to believe that pasteurization
harms milk and that raw milk is a safe, healthier alternative.

Here are some 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.
Raw milk marketed for pets and animals IS NOT safe for people to drink.
Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk's nutritional value.
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 germs.
Pasteurization DOES save lives.

When in Doubt — Ask!

Read the label. Safe milk will have the word “pasteurized” on the
label. If the word “pasteurized” does not appear on a product’s label, it
may contain raw milk.
Don’t hesitate to ask your grocer or health food store clerk whether
milk or cream has been pasteurized, especially milk or milk products sold
in refrigerated cases.
Don’t buy milk or milk products at farmers’ markets or roadside stands unless you can confirm that they have been pasteurized.

Is Your Homemade Ice Cream Safe?

Each year, homemade ice cream causes serious outbreaks of infection from Salmonella. The ingredient responsible is raw or undercooked eggs. If you choose to make ice cream at home, use a pasteurized egg product, egg substitute, or pasteurized shell eggs in place of the raw eggs in your favorite recipe. There are also many egg-free ice cream recipes available. Protect Your Family with Wise Food Choices

The majority of commercial milk and milk products sold in the United States contains milk or cream that has been pasteurized. Raw milk or foods made
with raw milk may be harmful to your health. To avoid getting sick from the dangerous germs often found in raw milk, you should choose your milk and
milk products carefully.
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