Milk and dairy products are nutritious for children. But raw milk that has not been pasteurized can contain dangerous organisms that pose serious health risks to children and adults.
Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time.
The recent outbreak of H5N1 bird flu shows the dangers of consuming raw milk. The virus has spread from birds to dairy cows and was found in cats that died after drinking raw milk from infected cows.
“While there have been no known cases of human transmission of H5N1 from raw milk, it’s certainly conceivable that it could happen, and this is a highly fatal virus not just for cats but for humans, too,” said Sean T. O’Leary, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, a pediatrician and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Infectious Diseases.
Raw milk and food made with raw milk are legal to buy in some states. But that does not mean the products are safe. Raw milk can become contaminated by animal poop and germs carried by insects and rodents. Animals being milked also can have diseases that can contaminate milk.
The AAP, Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend against drinking raw milk and eating products made with raw milk such as cream, cheeses, yogurt, ice cream, frozen yogurt and pudding.
Symptoms of illness from raw milk can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. Most healthy people recover after eating or drinking contaminated raw milk products. But some people can have severe symptoms or can die from the infection. Raw milk is particularly unsafe for children under 5 years, people with immune conditions and adults ages 65 years and older.
When shopping for dairy products, check the label to make sure the food or drink has been pasteurized.