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CDC Issues Alarming Raw Milk Report

raw milk

A Line In The Sand



The debate over raw milk is heating up as new research shows it is 150 times more likely to cause illness than pasteurized milk.

While raw milk fans contend the pasteurization process also kills good cultures and degrades proteins, health officials have long argued the risks aren't worth it since unpasteurized dairy products can contain dangerous food-borne pathogens like salmonella, E. coli and campylobacter.

The Numbers



According to the findings of a CDC study set for publication in March, of the disease outbreaks traced to milk between 1993 and 2006, some 60 percent were the result of raw milk consumption. Raw milk was also responsible for a whopping 84 percent of milk-related hospitalizations.

Many states already have laws in place that regulate -- if not ban outright -- the sale of unpasteurized milk.

Raw milk fans are not giving up, though. "Raw milk rallies" and other events are cropping up nationwide in support of the movement.

Read More:



  • Raw Milk Movement Takes Hits From Courts, Health Officials (NPR)
  • Raw milk causes most dairy-related disease outbreaks, CDC says (Los Angeles Times)
  • Raw Mild Ban Doesn't Stop Indiana Residents From Drinking It (Indiana Public Media)
  • Food Safety and Raw Milk (CDC)


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