KSDK TV in St. Louis reported today on the raw milk debate.
Purchasers and producers of raw milk believe drinking unpasteurized milk enhances their health. Public health officials believe the risks of drinking raw milk and contracting potentially fatal illnesses such as E. coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter infections are too high, and that people should not consume raw milk. As reported on the news:
“Raw milk, advocates say, is healthier than pasteurized. Louis Pasteur invented the process to heat milk to 161 degrees for 15 seconds to kill harmful bacteria. But raw milk proponents say the process kills good bacteria.
However, there’s another side to this story from health officials, who say they would never drink raw milk.
St. Louis City Health Director Dr. William Kincaid says raw milk is potentially full of bad things, like listeria, E. coli and even tuberculosis. Kincaid says he would absolutely not drink raw milk.”