Pasteurized vs. Raw Milk

Raw Unpasteurized Milk vs. Pasteurized Milk

By: Katie Fudcaz

The increasingly popular “know your farmer” and organic agriculture movements challenge many statues of the Western capitalist food system. Prominent governmental agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) face much scrutiny for condoning the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk. According to the FDA website, Pasteurization of milk is defined as “a process that kills harmful bacteria by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time. Pasteurization kills harmful organisms responsible for such diseases as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and brucellosis (FDA, 2013). Both the FDA and CDC claim, “raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms and bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria which are responsible for numerous foodborne illnesses” (FDA 2013). The FDA website extensively warns against consumption of raw milk or dairy items containing unpasteurized milk; in fact, the FDA claims “pasteurization DOES save lives” (FDA, 2013). A CDC analysis emphasizes that raw milk bacteria is most dangerous to children, pregnant women, older adults and individuals with weak immune systems (FDA, 2013). In contrast, organic farmer/ lecturer/author, Joel Salatin, and author David Gumpert advocate raw milk consumption for the multitude of health, environmental and flavor benefits it provides. Both Salatin and Grumpert argue that Americans have the right to “seek foods outside the regulatory system, like raw milk, custom-slaughtered beef and pastured eggs from chickens raised without soy” (Foreward by Joel Salatin). Gumpert’s latest book “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Food Rights” will be released on July fourth, providing an in-depth investigation of the capitalist food systems and examining how the FDA cracked down on groups like the Amish for “growing against the system”. Due to the vast amounts of information supporting both pasteurized and unpasteurized milk it is difficult to know which method is better for human health, cow welfare, and the environment. It is interesting to examine is how raw milk has given rise to the issue of food justice and transparency. It’s up to you to decide.

For more information, see: www.fda.gov/ Food/ResourcesForYou/consumers/ ucm079516.htm