Social media trends have moms feeding milk from a cow, sheep, goat or other animal that has not been pasteurized to their infants. Utah has yet to ban the sale of raw milk and this can be VERY dangerous for a lot of reasons…
1- it can carry harmful germs such as:
Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Listeria, Tuberculosis and Brucella. These germs can cause serious health problems for anyone who is infected, but especially for children under age 5 years
2- raw milk gets contaminated:
From animal poop, including from bird droppings or from an animal’s skin; In the barn, on milking equipment or in the milk processing plant; When an animal has an infected udder, also called mastitis, or a disease such as bovine tuberculosis; Germs from insects, rodents and other small animals; Through dairy workers such as from dirty clothing or boots
3- Even if a farm regularly tests their milk for bacteria this does not mean that it is safe. Low levels of germs in raw milk are not always detected
4-Pregnant women also are at greater risk of problems such as miscarriage and infection
Symptoms of illness from raw milk can include:
Diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, flu-like symptoms: fever, headache and body aches
Facts:
Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period.
Some people believe that pasteurization harms milk and that raw milk is safer or healthier. However, the nutritional value of milk stays the same after it is pasteurized. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can affect people who are sensitive to milk proteins or have lactose intolerance or a food allergy.
Recommendations from your Pediatrician, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, plus the health department:
When shopping for dairy products, check the label to confirm that the food or drink has been pasteurized.
The CDC and FDA urge families to avoid “high-risk” choices such as: unpasteurized milk/cream, soft cheeses: Brie, Queso Fresco, Asadero, Camembert, and Queso Blanco that is made from unpasteurized milk, yogurt or pudding made from unpasteurized milk, and ice cream or frozen yogurt with unpasteurized milk.
When in doubt, if “pasteurized” is not on the label or listed in the ingredients, ask to be sure.
Always keep pasteurized dairy products in a refrigerator that is set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and do not eat expired dairy products.
