Raw Milk Has Ardent Supporters, Despite FDA Warnings

The federal government says those who choose to drink raw, or unpasteurized, milk are taking an unnecessary gamble.

Pasteurization is a process that involves heating the milk to a set temperature for a specific period of time to kill harmful bacteria to avoid illnesses such as listeriosis, salmonella, E. coli, and tuberculosis. The process was invented in 1864 by scientist Louis Pasteur.

“Unpasteurized milk is 150 times more likely to cause foodborne illness and results in 13 times more hospitalizations than illnesses involving pasteurized dairy product,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration writes on its website. The consumption of raw milk poses a “serious health risk,” it adds.

Despite such strong warnings, there is a strong underground community of people who consume raw milk, saying it is more nutritious, tastier and purer than the pasteurized version.

In Florida, it is not unlawful for humans to consume raw milk but retailers and producers are prohibited from selling raw milk for human consumption, though consumption for pets is permitted. This means that raw milk consumers have to get it through an underground supply chain or use the raw milk sold in stores not as directed — for themselves rather than their pets.

Land O' Lakes resident Judi Fisher has been drinking raw milk — goat’s milk, to be exact — for about two years now. She said pasteurization gets rid of things that are harmful but also beneficial things such as good enzymes for the body.

“The reason using raw milk is key is because it contains all its living enzymes and beneficial bacteria just like breast milk does,” Fisher said.

How does she prevent herself from ingesting potentially harmful bacteria?

“We wash our hands, clean the udders and strain the milk twice through a filter,” she said.

Lutz resident Echo Fetke said she gave birth to a 9.6-pound baby girl last October but mom could not produce enough breast milk. A nutritionist she had been going to suggested making formula for the child.

“I knew nothing about raw milk at the time but with her guidance we began making her formula but cutting the raw milk with water and adding … two vitamins found in breast milk that are not in cow’s milk,” she said. “We had many family members lash out at our decision because of all of the warnings about how dangerous raw milk is, and it didn’t help that on the jug it says ‘not for human consumption.’ But we stuck to our guns and continued to use the milk.”

Fetke says her daughter is now 6 months old, strong and has a strong immune system and no problems with allergies.

“The results my daughter has had with this milk are beyond anything I could have hoped for,” Fetke said.

Raw milk certainly has its supporters, but the FDA says it’s not worth the risk, particularly for children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Additionally, the government agency says it is a myth that pasteurization reduces milk’s nutritional value.

What do you think, Seminole Heights? Do you drink raw milk? If not, would you try it? Tell us in the comments section below.