Raw
Milk a Hazard for Children and Pregnant Women
In a new policy statement, the
American Academy of Pediatrics has advised children, infants and pregnant women
not to consume any raw milk or raw milk products from cows, goats or sheep.
Although the sale of unpasteurized
milk products is legal in 30 states, the academy says that the evidence of the
benefits of pasteurization to food safety is overwhelming, and that the
benefits of any elements in raw milk that are inactivated by pasteurization
have not been scientifically demonstrated.
California allows raw milk sales in
retail stores and requires a permit which also allows for sales on/off farms
and at farmers’ markets.
The report, published in the January 2014 Pediatrics, released TODAY, notes that many species of
harmful bacteria have been found in unpasteurized milk products, including
Listeria, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Cryptosporidium, among others.
“There are no proven nutritional
advantages of raw milk,” said a lead author, Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, the chief of neonatology at Georgia Regent
University in Augusta. “Further, raw milk and milk products account for a
significant proportion of food borne illnesses in Americans. There is no reason
to risk consuming raw milk.”
Are cheeses made from raw milk less likely to be
contaminated? “No,” Dr. Bhatia said. “They have the same potential.”
Sources: Nicholas
Bakalar, New York Times; Western United Dairymen; Real Raw Milk Facts;
American Academy of Pediatrics, Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund
Labels: American Academy of Pediatrics and Raw Milk, California allows raw milk sales, California requires raw milk permit, Raw Milk Hazard to Children and Pregnant Women, Research Shows Raw Milk is Hazardous