HOME

ABOUT QVHD

COMMUNITY

ENVIRONMENTAL

MOM'S CLINIC

RESOURCES

The Choice is Yours: Raw or Pasteurized?

By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD

InWe live in an amazing world, with a wealth of information at our fingertips every day. Because of this, we are better equipped to investigate the answers to some of our questions. We are also bombarded with news 24/7, on every topic from politics to health. As we move into our “go-green” phase, we have become more suspicious of chemicals we use and consume. This suspicion has extended itself to the foods that we eat. Sometimes there are justified concerns about past practices that may not be great for our health. But other times, we are swayed by incorrect information or beliefs that can lead to harm.

Some people subscribe heartily to the concept of “natural” or “organic” foods. For the most part, this is a safe way to eat (although often more expensive.) However, when it comes to raw dairy products, this is not the best strategy to apply. Some people believe that pasteurization of dairy products harms milk and have turned to raw dairy products. Other persons are concerned about the use of hormones in milk. If you are one of these persons, you need to know that you are risking contracting some serious illnesses that pasteurization prevents. Such diseases include listeriosis, typhoid fever, diphtheria and brucellosis. The bacteria that cause these diseases are especially dangerous to pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria in milk using heat. It does not affect the nutritional value of milk. Because the process does not kill all of the kinds of organisms that can cause spoilage (not disease) you must refrigerate most real dairy products. An FDA Food Facts article offers the following facts about milk and the pasteurization process:

• Pasteurizing milk does not cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
• Raw milk does not kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
• Pasteurization does not reduce milk's nutritional value.
• Pasteurization does not mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened.
• Pasteurization does kill harmful bacteria that cause human illness.
• Pasteurization does save lives.

( http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079516.htm )


Health concerns about unpasteurized products go beyond milk. Any unpasteurized dairy product including soft cheeses, yogurt, pudding and ice cream, can lead to illness. Organisms that can be present include (but are not limited to) staphylococcus aureus, campylobacter, salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, mycobacterium tuberculosis, mycobacterium bovis, brucella and yersinia. Listeria is of particular concern in women who are pregnant. This pathogen (germ) can cause miscarriage, fetal death or illness or death of a newborn. It is very serious. Pregnant women should not consume unpasteurized dairy products. This includes Mexican-style soft cheese such as Queso Fresco, Panela, Asadero and Queso Blanco.

In the 10 year period from 1998 to 2008, there were 1,614 reported illnesses associated with unpasteurized dairy products. This actual number of illnesses is likely higher as not all cases of illness get reported. While most persons recover from such illnesses, there have been deaths and miscarriages associated with unpasteurized dairy products. The choice is yours: raw or unpasteurized.

For more information on this topic, district residents (Bethany, Hamden , North Haven and Woodbridge ) can call Quinnipiack Valley Health District, 203 248-4528 or request on line, www.qvhd.org.
 

Quinnipiack Valley Health District
1151 Hartford Turnpike
North Haven, CT 06473

Phone. (203) 248-4528
Fax. (203) 248-6671
E-Mail. info@qvhd.org