What is raw milk?
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, meaning it has not been heated to kill germs. The FDA and CDC warn that it can carry disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria and Campylobacter, and that children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems are most at risk. Both recommend pasteurized milk.
Free download
Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF): How long milk, plant milks, cream, yogurt and kefir last, opened and unopened. 23 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
What is raw milk?
Raw milk is unpasteurized milk, usually from cows but also from goats and sheep. Pasteurization is a heat treatment that kills harmful germs. Raw milk skips that step, so it can contain whatever germs came from the animal, the udder or the milking equipment.
What germs can raw milk carry?
The FDA says raw milk can contain disease-causing pathogens including E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter. The CDC also lists Cryptosporidium and Brucella. Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting. The CDC says more severe outcomes such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or hemolytic uremic syndrome can occur in some cases.
Can you tell if raw milk is contaminated?
No. The FDA says there is no visual or sensory indicator of these pathogens, and standard quality tests do not reveal them. The CDC says good farm practices can reduce contamination but cannot guarantee safety from harmful germs.
Who is most at risk?
- Children, including children under 5.
- Adults over 65.
- Pregnant women.
- People with weakened immune systems.
These groups are at greater risk of serious illness or death from foodborne illness.
Is raw milk more nutritious?
The CDC says pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk, and the FDA says pasteurization has minimal impact on milk’s nutrition. We found no official source supporting claims that raw milk has special health benefits.
How is raw milk different from pasteurized milk?
| Raw milk | Pasteurized milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat treated | No | Yes |
| Can carry harmful germs | Yes | Pasteurization is meant to kill them |
| Sale | Varies by state | Widely sold |
Practical advice
Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products. If you do buy raw milk where it is legal, do not give it to young children, pregnant women or anyone with a weakened immune system. This is general information, not medical advice.
People also ask
Is raw milk safe to drink?
The FDA and CDC say it can carry disease-causing germs and recommend pasteurized milk instead.
Does raw milk have more nutrients than pasteurized milk?
The CDC says pasteurized milk has the same nutritional benefits, and the FDA says pasteurization has minimal impact on nutrition.
Who should never drink raw milk?
Children, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at greatest risk.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
