Raw Milk – Know the Raw Facts
Many people choose raw milk thinking it will improve their health, but it can cause serious illness in anyone.
What Is Raw Milk Anyway?
Raw milk has not been pasteurized to kill harmful, disease-causing germs, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to kill harmful bacteria.
Before most milk in the U.S. was pasteurized, raw milk was a common source of foodborne illness.
Some germs linked to raw milk outbreaks
Campylobacter
E. coli
Salmonella
Listeria
What Can You Do To Lower Your Risk Of Getting Sick?
Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products.
Buy and eat products that say “pasteurized” on the label. If in doubt, don’t buy it!
Refrigerate dairy products at 40°F or below.
Throw away any expired product.
Be Wise. Only Drink Milk That’s Pasteurized!
For more information on raw milk, please visit www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk
Download the Raw Milk – Know the Raw Facts pdf icon[PDF – 1 page] infographic to learn how raw milk can cause serious illness in anyone.