According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States (CDC), "Raw milk and products made from it can pose severe health risks. That's because raw milk has not undergone a process called pasteurization that kills disease-causing germs.

Raw Milk

As far as the United States is concerned, raw milk is a serious topic of debate. Most states have enforced a strict ban on the selling and distribution of raw milk. So, if raw milk is not desirable for consumption, is boiling an option? Is it then at par with the pasteurized versions sold by the leading dairy brands? Scientifically and technically, properly cooked food items are deemed fit for human consumption. The same is true with raw milk as well. It is only now that I understand why my mother would let the milk boil for a long time and emphasis on reheating whenever possible. I have had boiled raw milk all my life until I moved to Delhi and started consuming pasteurized milk. Boiling certainly lessens any chances of bacteria's presence in milk, however, pasteurized is better if you want to be 100% sure, " said Dr. Sharma.On the other hand, a Delhi-based weight management expert, Dr. Gargi Sharma, strictly recommends not considering raw milk consumption. According to her, "Our lifestyle is such that we are now more prone to getting affected by bacterial and viral infections. One should not try risking oneself by drinking raw milk. Even after boiling, you can't rely on it being absolutely safe for consumption." She pointed out the fact that everyone can't handle raw milk, especially those with weaker immunity. Its consumption may therefore cause more trouble than any good. "I would certainly not recommend it to young kids, older people as well as pregnant women, " concluded Dr. Gargi.Gone are those days when you could imagine cows grazing in lush greens and be assured of getting milk from healthy, well-fed animals. In a century where most things are being found adulterated or with excess of harmful chemicals, pesticides and what not, how can you trust your local milk man with the safety standards? Isn't it better to rely on products that are under national food security standards and are duly tested for their quality?It is just an observation, a question that crosses my mind more often now.

What is pasteurization?

Pasteurization is a process which is undertaken by dairy companies that sell pasteurized milk in packets or tetra packs. The process involves heating milk at a particular temperature for a stipulated time to ensure killing of harmful bacteria that can cause severe damage to human health.

Conclusion

In simpler words, milk in its natural form - straight from the cow - has characteristics to get contaminated quite quickly. As explained above, even the slightest amount of carelessness during milking the cow can lead to milk contamination which if consumed can prove to be quite fatal for health. This is one of the reasons why pasteurized milk is preferred over raw milk.

Reference : https://tinyurl.com/3tkkhppy