Though no nutritionist can deny the importance of Milk and dairy products as a very crucial part of a healthy diet, if these products are used unpasteurized, they can prove a considerable  health hazard because of likely presence of contamination with pathogenic bacteria., said a review of Clinical Infectious Diseases  published in its January 1, 2009 issue.

The study pointed to exorbitantly rising disease outbreaks in America linked to the consumption of unpasteurized milk.

The authors Jeffrey T. LeJeune and Päivi J. Rajala-Schultz of the College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio presented some eye opening facts and figures in support to their assertion. “From 1993 to 2006, the United States  experienced an average of 5.2 annual outbreaks related to the consumption of raw unpasteurized milk. As compared to previous 19 years, these figures count upto more than double”.

The supporters of unpasteurized milk assert that raw milk can lead to cure or prevention of certain diseases. No scientifically proven testimony has ever been presented to bolster  this wild claim. Experts also reject testing raw milk as an alternative to pasteurization.  They are of the opinion that testing cannot ensure a product to be 100 percent free of pathogens and thus safe for human consumption. The authors persistently warn that pasteurization stands as the best available method to reduce the risk of contamination, which is otherwise unavoidable.

The authors warn of the many slips between the cup and the lip. They refute the idea that fresh milk is free of contamination.“Contamination can take place at any stage during collection, processing, distribution, or storage of milk”. Many pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, reported since 2005, can contaminate the teat of dairy cows.

Though the raw milk  sale is illegal in 26 states, the committed users manage to dodge the law through different means such as the  “cow-share” program.

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