Proper handling of raw poultry and meats is required to reduce the risk of illness. Even leftover rice can be risky if not handled properly. But there is a food that some proponents consider better for you in its natural state, yet it can be extremely dangerous. And that’s milk.

You may be surprised to learn about milk. Fortunately, most people buy milk that has been pasteurized. That means it has been processed to prevent bacterial contamination. Some natural food devotees believe that unpasteurized – or “raw” – milk is better for you, easier to digest, and good for your immune system. I will not argue with these people. They may or may not be right. It is possible, under very rigorous conditions, to make unpasteurized milk that is safe. In Europe, cheesemakers do that all the time, but in the United States, the risk to health from raw milk is greater than ever. I’m going to quote from an article in MDLinx.com, published on June 23, 2024:

“Raw milk contains higher levels of Listeria, Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and Salmonella than pasteurized milk, according to the CDC. Despite what special interest groups claim, patients should be advised against drinking raw milk—especially if they are young, old, immunocompromised, or pregnant.”

But the real issue is the recent finding of a form of bird flu called H5N1. It is very contagious and dangerous. Just this week, this virus has crossed over into humans, and people have died. And H5N1 has been found in cow’s milk. Most of the time what has been found is just pieces of virus that aren’t infectious. But the risk of live virus now exists. Fortunately, pasteurization kills the virus. Therefore, whatever possible benefits may occur from drinking raw milk, I urge you to stick to pasteurized cow’s milk.

Robert B. Golenbock, MD, is currently retired. He has cared for children in the Danbury area for 43 years, including at the Center for Pediatric Medicine. The CPM is located at 107 Newtown Rd, #1D, Danbury, CT, 06810. For more information, please call (203) 790-0822 or visit https://centerforpediatricmedct.com.