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The federal government banned the sale of raw milk across state lines nearly three decades ago because it poses a threat to public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association all strongly advise people not to drink it.
But individual states still control raw milk sales within their borders. And despite the health warnings, some Midwestern states have recently proposed legalizing raw milk sales to impose strict regulations on the risky — and growing — market.
If people want to take that risk it's up to them, they better just make sure they aren't feeding it to others in raw form without them being fully aware it's raw milk.
My family drank raw milk for a period of time when I was a young child. I missed it when my father found another job and no longer brought home a pitcher of milk every night.
I dont recall ever getting food poisoning from it.
Its all about proper safety and storage of the milk.
My family drank raw milk for a period of time when I was a young child. I missed it when my father found another job and no longer brought home a pitcher of milk every night.
I dont recall ever getting food poisoning from it.
Its all about proper safety and storage of the milk.
Its about a lot more than that. Where there are cows there is manure. There are also usually flies. Its very easy for bacteria to contaminate milk after a cow has been milked. All the washing in the world isn't going to get rid of all that bacteria. Milk is also the perfect medium in which bacteria can thrive. It is full of fats, proteins, and sugars.
The process of pasteurization is required to make sure the bacteria have been killed. The milk is heated to a high temperature for a period of time sufficient to kill all bacteria.
Of course, milk should be properly stored in a refrigerator after it has been pasteurized. Perhaps, you drank raw milk as a child and never got sick. Good for you. It doesn't mean other people don't get sick. Drinking unpasteurized milk has been the cause of many diseases and even deaths.
As one poster pointed out, the American Academy of Pediatrics has warned against it. Heed that warning.
This links to an article published by the Food and Drug Administration. The article says that people who drink raw milk are 13 X more likely to get food poisoning than those drinking pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk can carry these bacteria: Salmonella; e. coli: and listeria.
Cows' udders are washed and sanitized, then dried. A milker is attached, and the milk goes from the cow to a holding tank, which is rinsed, washed, and sanitized every time it is emptied.
I grew up drinking whole, raw milk. Never once got sick.
Cows' udders are washed and sanitized, then dried. A milker is attached, and the milk goes from the cow to a holding tank, which is rinsed, washed, and sanitized every time it is emptied.
I grew up drinking whole, raw milk. Never once got sick.
PeachSalsa: Can you tell me the timeframe (like from 1980 to 1985) you drank the milk? I've seen raw milk from local producers here (I'm pretty sure) but I thought it was pasteurized. I may be mixing some things up. There's a huge movement of local growers in Asheville and if it's considered safe, I'll look into it.
PeachSalsa: Can you tell me the timeframe (like from 1980 to 1985) you drank the milk? I've seen raw milk from local producers here (I'm pretty sure) but I thought it was pasteurized. I may be mixing some things up. There's a huge movement of local growers in Asheville and if it's considered safe, I'll look into it.
Interesting post. Many thanks.
It's only as safe as the bacteria levels in the milk.
I grew up on a farm, too, and drank raw milk. I didn't die from it, but then I didn't die from driving without a seat belt or rock climbing in Zoar Valley either. That doesn't mean it was the smartest thing to do.
We sold our milk to the co-op, and on rare occasions our milk wasn't accepted because the bacteria count was too high. Hopefully, you don't get your raw milk on high bacteria day.
It's only as safe as the bacteria levels in the milk.
I grew up on a farm, too, and drank raw milk. I didn't die from it, but then I didn't die from driving without a seat belt or rock climbing in Zoar Valley either. That doesn't mean it was the smartest thing to do.
We sold our milk to the co-op, and on rare occasions our milk wasn't accepted because the bacteria count was too high. Hopefully, you don't get your raw milk on high bacteria day.
Makes sense. I'm still alive from riding motorcycles for 1/2 my life (and still doing it), or parachuting, or even getting married. We all do things with hopefully a little bit of knowledge to determine if the risk is worth it or not. I weigh options enough and take the path I believe is right for me. I'm for raw milk and I'll ask the locals how they ensure it's not contaminated. I wouldn't offer raw milk, if I can get it, to others.
I'm actually glad to see the milk wasn't always accepted. Someone was doing their job. Thanks!
PeachSalsa: Can you tell me the timeframe (like from 1980 to 1985) you drank the milk? I've seen raw milk from local producers here (I'm pretty sure) but I thought it was pasteurized. I may be mixing some things up. There's a huge movement of local growers in Asheville and if it's considered safe, I'll look into it.
Interesting post. Many thanks.
1960s to 1990s.
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