Overview

A prominent hepatologist from Kerala, known as “The Liver Doc,” advises against consuming raw milk, especially for children. He highlights the risks of harmful bacteria present in raw milk and recommends boiling it before consumption. Untreated milk, he explains, may contain dangerous pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can lead to severe health issues.

In a recent post on social media platform X, the health expert emphasized the importance of pasteurization for public safety. He explained that pasteurization aims to eliminate harmful bacteria, protecting public health as it kills dangerous bacteria that otherwise pose a risk to public health. “Please do not drink and do not feed your kids raw milk. This looks and sounds cool, because it feels like you are doing it the natural way as our ancestors did,” he wrote. He cautioned that it can harbour harmful bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria.

He warned that these pathogens can cause severe infections that are difficult to treat, with some posing life-threatening risks. “Some of them can ruin your life,” he added. For instance, listeria can affect the brain, potentially leading to repeated seizures in children, while severe Salmonella infections may result in life-threatening complications such as shock and rapid organ failure.

Health Experts’ Recommendations

To underscore the risks, the doctor cited research from the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both recommend avoiding raw milk, particularly for vulnerable groups like children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The FDA points out that raw milk poses heightened risks to people with conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes.

Safe Food Preparation

Health agencies, including the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States), recommend boiling fresh milk for at least 30 seconds to eliminate dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The doctor emphasized that this precautionary step is essential to prevent infections associated with raw milk.

Source: The Economic Times