Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
News

Study: Consuming Raw Milk Unsafe; Illness Incidence at 17 Percent

February 11, 2014

Source: The Nation’s Health, a publication of the American Public Health Association


Consuming raw milk is unsafe, and illnesses from the product are more common than previously realized, a new study finds.

The study, published in the January 2014 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, looked at people in Minnesota, finding that over a 10-year period, 17 percent of people who consumed raw milk might have become ill.

“Since raw milk is a well-established vehicle for the infectious diseases included in our study, I don’t think this was a surprising finding,” study lead author Trisha Robinson, MPH, a senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, told The Nation’s Health. “If similar work were done in other states, I’m sure they would find similar results.”

She and her fellow researchers noted that even though outbreaks associated with raw milk are frequent, the number of reported cases is probably much smaller than the actual number of illnesses.

“Illnesses associated with raw milk consumption generally are under-reported as typically only outbreak-related cases are reported,” Robinson said.

The study looked at infections caused by several bacteria, including campylobacter, cryptosporidium and salmonella.

About 20,000 cases of illness that met the research criteria were reported to the Minnesota Department of Health from 2000-2010. Researchers excluded cases linked to international travel or where the infection was caused by a bacteria not historically associated with raw milk or that had been already linked to an outbreak related to a different food. Their final analysis, which included about 14,300 cases, found more than 17 percent of people who consumed raw milk in Minnesota during the study time period may have suffered from an associated illness.

The dangers of raw milk and associated products, such as raw milk cheese, have long been recognized. In December, two American Academy of Pediatrics committees released a new policy that supports the position of agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration endorsing “the consumption of only pasteurized milk and milk products for pregnant women, infants and children.” The policy also supports a ban on the sale of raw or unpasteurized milk products nationwide. The policy noted that 13 types of bacteria, the parasite giardia and three viruses have been detected in raw or unpasteurized milk or milk products. The viruses include rabies and norovirus, and the bacteria include five strains of E. coli.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warns about the health dangers of unpasteurized milk and milk products. People at greatest risk from getting sick from contaminated dairy products include infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, according to CDC.

“We hope that our study will add to the scientific information available to individuals so they can make an informed decision before drinking raw milk or giving it to their children,” Robinson said.

To access the study, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/1/12-0920_article.htm.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Contamination Control
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Management
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

sunflower oil

Louisiana Passes ‘MAHA’ Bill Targeting More Than 40 Ingredients, Including Seed Oils, Dyes, Sweeteners

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

Justin Ransom and Denise Eblen

USDA-FSIS Announces Dr. Justin Ransom as New Administrator

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • CDC: Raw Milk, Cheese Cause Almost All Dairy Foodborne Illness

    See More
  • various aged cheese

    FDA-Backed Study Shows Aging Raw Milk Cheese Does Not Inactivate Avian Flu, but Low pH Helps

    See More
  • cheese wheels

    Analysis of Raw Milk Cheeses as a Source of Foodborne Illness

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 9781498721776.jpg

    Handbook of Food Processing: Food Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing Processes

  • 9781138198463.jpg

    Food Safety Management Programs: Applications, Best Practices, and Compliance

  • food safety.jpg

    Food Safety Contaminants and Risk Assessment

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Page & Pedersen International Ltd.

    P&P makes reliable analytical instruments for food safety and quality testing. Also supplying certiified calibration standards for milk composition analyzers and cryoscopes. LactiCheck Analyzers test for fat, protein, solids, lactose (raw and processed milk) Check for extraneous water (Freezing-Point Cryoscopes) in milk, moisture levels in cheese/yogurt (Halogen Infrared Moisture Analyzer) or see Somatic Cell Counts (automated image cytometry).
  • Sevee & Maher Engineers Inc.

    Full range of regulatory compliance and sustainability consulting services for food contact/packaging in the food and beverage industry and supply chain, and consumer products industries worldwide. Solutions encompass regulatory compliance throughout the product life cycle, from raw materials to product development, manufacturing, supply chain chemical management, packaging, and post-market management.
  • AEMTEK Laboratories

    ISO 17025 accredited third-party laboratory focused on accuracy, turnaround times, customer service, and knowledgeable staff. AEMTEK specializes in product testing, environmental monitoring, shelf-life studies, process validation, research, training, and consulting services. For over 20 years, AEMTEK has provided clients with holistic solutions to ensure food safety.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing