From the Guidelines
Raw milk is not recommended for growing children due to significant health risks. The consumption of raw or unpasteurized milk and milk products can lead to bacterial infections caused by virulent pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and Escherichia coli O157, as stated in the study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1. These infections can occur in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals, including infants, young children, and pregnant women, and can result in life-threatening complications, such as kidney failure and even death.
The benefits of consuming raw milk products have not been clearly demonstrated in evidence-based studies, and therefore, do not outweigh the risks of raw milk consumption, as noted in the study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1. In contrast, pasteurized milk confers equivalent health benefits compared with raw milk, without the additional risk of bacterial infections. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly supports the position of the FDA and other national and international associations in endorsing the consumption of only pasteurized milk and milk products for pregnant women, infants, and children, as stated in the study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1.
Some of the key points to consider when evaluating the risks and benefits of raw milk consumption for growing children include:
- The risk of bacterial infections, such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli, which can cause severe illnesses and even death
- The lack of evidence-based studies demonstrating the benefits of consuming raw milk products
- The equivalent health benefits of pasteurized milk compared with raw milk, without the additional risk of bacterial infections
- The strong support from the AAP, FDA, and other national and international associations for the consumption of only pasteurized milk and milk products for pregnant women, infants, and children.
Overall, the risks associated with raw milk consumption outweigh any potential benefits, and pasteurized milk is a safe alternative that provides the same nutritional benefits without the dangerous pathogens, as supported by the study published in Pediatrics in 2014 1.
From the Research
Risks Associated with Raw Milk Consumption
- The consumption of raw milk poses significant health risks, particularly for children, due to the presence of conventional and emerging pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes 2, 3.
- Raw milk can also contain antibiotic residues, heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants that can damage health 2.
- The risk of food-borne illness associated with raw milk consumption is higher compared to pasteurized milk, with numerous outbreaks and cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome reported in pediatric populations 3, 4.
Benefits of Raw Milk Consumption
- There is no scientific evidence to support the claimed benefits of raw milk consumption, such as improved nutrition, prevention of lactose intolerance, or provision of "good" bacteria 5.
- Some epidemiological data suggest that children growing up in a farming environment may have a decreased risk of allergy and asthma, but there is no direct evidence that raw milk consumption is involved in this "protective" effect 5.
Microbial Quality and Safety of Raw Milk
- The microbial quality of raw milk depends on various factors, including hygiene, cooling, and storage parameters, and can be affected by the presence of spoilage microbiota such as Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter spp. 6.
- Raw milk can become contaminated after pasteurization, highlighting the need for better cleaning and sanitation regimes, as well as test systems to detect relevant pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms 6.