What are the risks of drinking animal milk?
The main risk of animal milk is drinking it raw. Raw (unpasteurized) milk can carry germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and Campylobacter, and the CDC says children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest danger. Pasteurized milk offers the same nutrition without those risks. Allergy and lactose intolerance are the other common issues.
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In this article
Is animal milk safe to drink?
Pasteurized cow, goat or sheep milk from a regulated producer is a normal part of many diets. The risks below mostly apply to milk that has not been heat-treated, plus a few personal sensitivities.
What is the biggest risk, raw milk?
The CDC states that raw milk is not pasteurized and can carry germs including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella. Good farm practices lower the chance of contamination but cannot guarantee safety. Typical symptoms are diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting. Severe complications can include Guillain-Barre syndrome and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure, paralysis, stroke or death.
Who is most at risk?
- Children under 5
- Adults over 65
- Pregnant women
- People with weakened immune systems
The CDC also advises against drinking raw milk contaminated with live H5N1 bird flu virus.
What does pasteurization do?
It heats milk high enough and long enough to kill disease-causing germs. According to the CDC, pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk. The CDC page we read talks about raw milk in general and does not single out goat, sheep or other animals; the same principle applies, because any raw milk can carry germs.
Other things to watch
- Milk allergy: a true allergy to milk protein can be serious; proteins in goat and sheep milk are often similar enough that people allergic to cow milk may react to them too. Ask an allergist before trying.
- Lactose intolerance: causes gas, bloating and cramps; see our page on lactose intolerance and milk.
- Exotic or wild milk: camel, donkey, moose and similar milks are rarely sold under the same safety rules; buy only pasteurized, labeled products.
- Storage: keep milk refrigerated and check the date, since spoiled milk can also cause stomach upset.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you or a child become ill after drinking raw milk, contact a doctor.
People also ask
Is raw milk healthier than pasteurized milk?
According to the CDC, pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk.
Is goat or sheep milk safer raw than cow milk?
Not by any rule we found. Raw milk from any animal can carry germs, so choose pasteurized milk.
Can milk make you sick even if it is pasteurized?
Yes, if it is spoiled or if you have an allergy or lactose intolerance. Check the date and keep it cold.
Sources
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