Raw (Untreated) Milk
Each year, people become ill from drinking raw milk and eating foods made from raw dairy products. Unlike most of the milk, cheese, and dairy products sold in the United States, raw milk and raw dairy products have not been heat treated or pasteurized to kill germs.
- Drinking Raw Milk: It's Not Worth the Risk: FDA
Drinking raw (untreated) milk or eating raw milk products is "like playing Russian roulette with your health," says John Sheehan, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Division of Dairy and Egg Safety. "We see a number of cases of foodborne illness every year related to the consumption of raw milk."
- Raw Milk and Cheeses: CDC
Germs in These Products Cause Thousands of Illnesses, Illnesses Can Be Dangerous, Pasteurization Is Key to Making Dairy Products Safe, Playing It Safe.
- FDA: The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk
Following an outbreak in the state of Washington, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public against drinking raw milk because it may contain harmful bacteria that can cause life-threatening illnesses. Raw milk is not treated or pasteurized to remove disease-causing bacteria. US FDA, 2005.