Thread by @NightShiftMD

A thread on raw vs pasteurized milk. Pasteurized milk is milk from dairy animals heated to 63C for 30 minutes or 71 C for 15 seconds before cooling. It kills bacteria in raw milk that are harmful to humans including Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria etc.1/n

Pasteurizing milk prevents bacterial infections and saves lives. Infection with these and other bacteria can cause food poisoning. The symptoms can be mild but can also cause serious illness. 2/n

Children infected with E. coli O157:H7 can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome which is life threatening. Pregnant women infected with Listeria are at greater risk of miscarriage, as well as illness and death of newborns.3/n

Viruses can be detected in unpasteurized milk. Bird flu, aka H5N1 influenza was first confirmed in U.S. dairy cattle in March '24 and is spreading widely especially in California. High levels of the virus have been found in the milk of infected cows. Pasteurization kills viruses including H5N1. 4/n

Pasteurizing milk does not lead to lactose intolerance and does not strip raw milk of its nutritional value. Both raw and pasteurized milk trigger allergic reactions in people who have an allergy to milk proteins. Raw milk is not probiotic and does not reduce the likelihood of asthma. 5/n

Some people believe that it’s safe for them to consume raw milk because they grew up consuming it and never got sick. A serious infection can occur at any time. 6/n

In Canada, all milk sold to the public must be pasteurized and packaged in a licensed dairy plant. Only vitamins A and D may be added to the milk for health benefits. 7/n

A '22 US study found jurisdictions that permit the sale of unpasteurized milk have 3.2x the # of dairy-borne outbreaks compared to those that don’t. State laws that increase availability of non-pasteurised milk are associated with > outbreaks & illnesses. 8/n pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC99…

If you consume raw milk see a healthcare provider if you get symptoms of food poisoning like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or flu-like symptoms like fever, headache, and body aches and pains. 9/n

Parents watch kids for symptoms of food poisoning. If you’re pregnant and believe you may have consumed raw milk products, see a health-care provider immediately. 10/n

Butter and cheese made from raw milk is safer to consume because the fermentation and production process kills some harmful pathogens. However, unpasteurized butter and cheese must be aged before it can be sold in Canada. 11/n

Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened. 12/n END