Raw milk or unpasteurized milk may have become popular in recent years due to the rise of organic and natural products, but a new study featured on TIME reveals that drinking the so-called healthier milk may be harmful, especially for children and pregnant women.
According Dr. Yvonne Maldonado of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there were 93 reported cases of outbreaks caused by raw milk and its products from 1998 to 2009. This later led to “1,837 illnesses, 195 hospitalizations, and two deaths.” Many of the cases were triggered by bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which when ingested, could cause deadly complications in unborn children and toddlers.
“We invented pasteurisation to prevent these horrible diseases,”says Maldonado in a statement. “There is really no good reason to drink unpasteurized milk.”
While this still remains a hot topic for scientists and organic food proponents, it's still best to consult a medical professional before introducing a new food product to pregnant women and children.
(Photo by Kristen Taylor via Flickr Creative Commons)
