Florida Officials Warn Against Drinking Raw Milk – 7 Hospitalized, 21 Sick With E. Coli Bacteria

Florida health department has issued a warning for people against raw milk after 21 people got sick due to it, including six children, got sick from E. coli and campylobacter bacteria. The illnesses were all linked to raw milk from a single farm. Of those infected, seven people have also been hospitalized. The health department raised serious concerns about the farm's sanitation practices, stating, "Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases." The dangerous bacteria, which can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, can lead to severe complications such as kidney failure, especially in children. The US has seen an increase in the amount of people who are choosing to drink raw milk. People on social media are also encouraging others to drink unpasteurized milk and go for the ‘healthy’ and ‘all-natural’ beverage. However, drinking raw milk is a big cause of health concern. According to a 2023 survey published in the Journal of food protection, 4.4% of US adults report drinking raw milk at least once in the past year. How did this trend come to be? And why are people discouraged from drinking raw milk? Rise Of Raw Milk Consumption In US The survey revealed that raw milk is popular among those who prefer "unprocessed" foods, its consumption is still relatively low in the U.S. About 4.4% of U.S. adults (around 10.7 million people) reported drinking raw milk at least once in the past year. The study also found that most of these drinkers (62%) only drink it occasionally, less than once a month. The people most likely to drink raw milk are: Young adults (ages 18-35)People who live in rural areasResidents of states where raw milk can be legally sold in storesPeople living in the NortheastInterestingly, the study found that frequent raw milk drinkers tended to have less education, while those who drank it occasionally were more likely to be college graduates. Common Myths That Aid To The Popularity of Raw Milk Debunked The FDA warns that raw milk can contain many types of germs that cause serious diseases. Scientific studies and many reported outbreaks have proven the risks of drinking raw milk. The process of pasteurization, which heats milk, effectively kills these germs without changing the milk's nutritional value. Myth 1: Raw milk cures lactose intolerance. This is false. All milk, whether raw or pasteurized, contains lactose. People who are lactose intolerant lack an enzyme called lactase to properly digest lactose. There is no lactase in raw milk itself. While some fermented products like yogurt can help because they contain specific bacteria that produce lactase, raw milk does not have the same bacteria in the same amounts. Myth 2: Raw milk prevents asthma and allergies. This is a misunderstanding of a well-known study. One study found that children who drank "farm milk" had lower rates of asthma and allergies, but it did not say the milk was raw. In fact, about half of the milk in that study was boiled. The researchers themselves warned against drinking raw milk as a preventive measure because of the risk of dangerous germs. Myth 3: Raw milk prevents osteoporosis and is better for bones. There is no scientific proof that raw milk is better for your bones than pasteurized milk. Studies show that pasteurization does not change the amount of calcium in milk or how well your body can absorb it. In fact, research on both animals and humans found no difference in calcium absorption between those who drank raw milk and those who drank pasteurized milk. Myth 4: Raw milk contains good bacteria for your gut. This is incorrect. The bacteria found in raw milk are not beneficial probiotics. Instead, they often come from unsanitary conditions, such as manure or a cow's infected udder. The presence of these bacteria often signals poor hygiene at the farm. Probiotics must be specific, non-harmful bacteria that can help human health. The bacteria in raw milk, such as E. coli and Salmonella, are known to cause disease. Myth 5: Raw milk boosts your immune system. Raw milk is actually not safe for the immune system, especially for children. It is much more likely to make them sick. There have been many documented outbreaks of serious illnesses like E. coli infections in children who drank raw milk.While raw milk does contain proteins called immunoglobulins, which help fight disease, they are found in very small amounts. These levels are so low they have no real effect on the human body. Myth 6: Raw milk is easier to digest. This is also false. Raw milk does not contain special enzymes that help you digest it better. The enzymes found in milk, like proteases and lipases, are not for human digestion and are mostly destroyed by the stomach's acid. Your body has its own enzymes to digest milk proteins and fats, and these work the same whether the milk is raw or pasteurized. Myth 7: Raw milk is more nutritious. Pasteurization has almost no impact on the nutritional value of milk. The levels of protein, fat, and minerals like calcium are the same in both raw and pasteurized milk. While some vitamins can be slightly affected by heat, the main vitamins in milk (like B vitamins) are very stable. The small amount of vitamin C in milk might be reduced, but milk is not a significant source of vitamin C to begin with.

Florida Officials Warn Against Drinking Raw Milk – 7 Hospitalized, 21 Sick With E. Coli Bacteria

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