Drinking raw milk can give you bird flu. Don't fall for the new fad

We often say that nature in its purest form is the best. However, certain fads and trends may seem natural and pure, to the point that you might consider trying them. Yet, when implemented in real life, they might not be beneficial.

One such example is the obsession with raw milk that has been spreading on social media.

What is this new fad?

Lately, people are having unpasteurised milk, in the hope of better health.

Not only this, they are also taking to social media to share the potential benefits of raw milk.

However, it might not be as great for you as social media claims.

One of the most serious risks of raw milk is its relationship with outbreaks of food-borne infections. Photo: Unsplash

In the US, recently, there has been a surge in bird flu cases related to dairy herds (bird flu is communicable and can spread to cows).

And at least 58 herds of dairy cattle are affected in the nine states of the US and at least two people are.

Federal authorities have also advised people not to drink raw milk, but according to NPR, raw milk is still being sold in the US.

In India?

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We Indians have a long-standing obsession with getting our milk "fresh from the farm".

With more than half of our country dependent on agriculture, obtaining milk directly from cows is something we've been doing for years. However, we do boil our milk before having it. The consumption of unpasteurised milk is worrying as it might be catching up in India as well. Federal authorities have also advised people not to drink raw milk. Photo: Unsplash

This is because when a trend has already gained popularity in the West, it often spreads quickly to India as well. Given our easier access to raw milk, regulating its consumption becomes more challenging.

Experts, however, are not enthusiastic about raw milk for various reasons.

What are experts saying?

Jinal Patel, a dietitian at Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai, tells India Today that raw milk "may not be a good option" as it may set the stage for harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria that invite illnesses like food poisoning and infections.

Shikha Singh, a clinical nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, agrees.

She says, "Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, and goats — or any other animal — that has not been pasteurised to kill harmful bacteria."

Jinal also adds that raw milk is not pasteurised and can take a toll on the health of children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

"Many people may experience nausea or vomiting after raw milk consumption," says Jinal.

Why is boiling your milk important?

Boiling milk the moment we get it from the suppliers has been a ritual in Indian households (so it is spilling the moment you look away from the stove), and it has various benefits.

"Boiling milk is good for health because it destroys dangerous germs that might cause food-borne illness," says Dr Neeti Sharma, a senior consultant of nutrition and dietetics at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram.

She also explains that raw milk can contain harmful bacteria (like we mentioned above) and by heating milk to a boil, these germs are effectively eliminated, considerably lowering the risk of sickness. Boiling milk is good for health because it destroys dangerous germs that might cause food-borne illness. Photo: Getty Images

"Furthermore, boiling milk helps inactivate enzymes that cause deterioration, increasing its shelf life," says Dr Sharma.

Shikha agrees, "It kills harmful organisms responsible for such diseases as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis."

What about vegan milk?

The demand for vegan milk is increasing every day, even in India. Studies show that the plant-based milk market in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 20.7% from 2018 to 2024, reaching $63.9 million.

Can you have raw vegan milk? Well, experts say you can.

Dr Sharma says we can drink raw vegan milk because it does not pose the same hazards as raw animal milk. The demand for vegan milk is increasing every day. Photo: Unsplash

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"Vegan milk, such as almond, soy, oat, rice, and coconut milk, are made from plant-based materials and do not include hazardous pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria, which are common in raw animal milk. These plant-based milks are typically prepared and packaged under sanitary conditions, significantly reducing the danger of infection," says Dr Sharma.

So, while vegan milk is not pasteurised, the initial preparation methods and the absence of animal-derived ingredients make it generally safe to ingest without further cooking or boiling.

The dos and don'ts with your milk (according to experts)

We asked experts what are some dos and don'ts with your milk, and here's what they said:

Dos

advertisement Refrigerate milk promptly to avoid bacterial growth, store it in the refrigerator at or below 4°C.

Use clean containers to keep milk fresh and free of infection and always store it in clean, airtight containers.

Do check expiration dates before buying to avoid ingesting rotten milk and check the expiration date on a regular basis and consume it before it spoils.

Don'ts

Milk should never be left out of the refrigerator for an extended period of time, especially in warm climates, as it spoils quickly.

Consuming raw milk is not recommended owing to the possibility of bacterial infection, which can cause serious illnesses.

Store milk in the main body of the refrigerator where temperatures are more stable, not in the door where it is subject to frequent temperature changes.

Avoid mixing old and new milk because it can speed up the spoiling of the entire batch.

"Moderation is key when it comes to drinking milk. Excessive quantity is not good for health," says Jinal.