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- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The Dangers of Raw Milk -- Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Raw Milk Questions and Answers
- Foodborne Pathogens and Disease: Food Safety Hazards Associated With Consumption of Raw Milk
- Foodborne Pathogens and Disease: Food Safety Hazards Associated With Consumption of Raw Milk
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Raw Vs. Pasteurized Cheese Health Benefits
The majority of cheese eaten and sold is pasteurized, meaning the milk is treated to kill off all bacteria -- some healthy, some not -- before the cheese is made 2. Raw milk cheeses are made from unpasteurized milk and, according to some, are the tastiest cheese you can find 5. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that unpasteurized soft cheeses and milk are considered unsafe for consumption 1. That said, you can legally buy some raw milk cheeses so long as they have been aged for at least 60 days 5.
Pasteurized Cheeses
The most common type of cheese in markets and grocery stores, pasteurized cheese can be industrially made as well as artisanal. Pasteurized cheese is made from milk that has been heated to 140 or 150 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 30 minutes, before the temperature is lowered, but no less than 55 degrees 2. Both hard and soft varieties are considered safe for regular consumption, according to the FDA.
Raw Milk Cheeses
The Dangers of Pasteurized Homogenized Milk
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Raw milk cheeses, because of their unpasteurized milk content -- from either goats, cows or sheep -- have more flavor and complexity than their pasteurized counterparts 25. While still new in the United States, raw milk cheeses are part of a traditional diet in large parts of Europe and are made on a small scale in the United States by artisanal cheese makers 5. A large number of raw milk cheeses are imported 5.
Dangers of Bacterial Infection
Pasteurization kills off all of the bacteria found in milk, making a pathogen-free cheese. Nonpathogen organisms are still present, which can cause the cheese to spoil if it is not properly stored in a fridge. Listeria, salmonella and E. coli are all potential pathogens that are more likely to be found in raw milk cheeses rather than pasteurized cheeses 25. Raw milk cheeses are made by small-scale producers, who often put their products under stringent testing to ensure there is no contamination from harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, yeast or coliform bacteria 5. According to a 2009 issue of "Foodborne Pathogens and Disease," however, there is little scientific study to support the safety of raw milk in general 6. Learning about independent producers' safety measures may help prevent possible infection from contaminated raw milk.
- Pasteurization kills off all of the bacteria found in milk, making a pathogen-free cheese.
- Nonpathogen organisms are still present, which can cause the cheese to spoil if it is not properly stored in a fridge.
Other Things to Consider
Raw Goat's Milk for Weight Loss
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While raw milk cheeses may contain bacteria in the milk, supporters of raw milk products argue that pasteurized cheese also carries a risk of danger from pathogens 25. Poor handling and storage of pasteurized milk and cheese can lead to exposure to harmful pathogens, as well as potential cross-contamination 2. For pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and children, the FDA does not recommend any consumption of raw milk cheeses 5. Pregnant women are particularly in danger if they are infected with Listeria, a bacteria that can cause miscarriages, as well as death or illness for newborns.
Related Articles
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: The Dangers of Raw Milk -- Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk
- Real Milk: Raw Milk Vs. Pasteurized Milk
- Whole Foods: Strange Food Trends -- Raw Milk Cheeses
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Raw Milk Questions and Answers
- Organic Cheeses: Raw Cheeses
- Foodborne Pathogens and Disease: Food Safety Hazards Associated With Consumption of Raw Milk
- Milk, reduced fat (2%). FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
- Månsson HL. Fatty acids in bovine milk fat. Food Nutr Res. 2008;52. doi:10.3402/fnr.v52i0.1821
- Wadolowska L, Sobas K, Szczepanska JW, Slowinska MA, Czlapka-Matyasik M, Niedzwiedzka E. Dairy products, dietary calcium and bone health: possibility of prevention of osteoporosis in women: the Polish experience. Nutrients. 2013;5(7):2684-707. doi:10.3390/nu5072684
- Varenna M, Manara M, Galli L, Binelli L, Zucchi F, Sinigaglia L. The association between osteoporosis and hypertension: The role of a low dairy intake. Calcif Tissue Int. 2013;93(1):86-92. doi:10.1007/s00223-013-9731-9
- Cormick G, Ciapponi A, Cafferata ML, Belizán JM. Calcium supplementation for prevention of primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD010037. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010037.pub2
- National Cancer Institute. Calcium and cancer prevention. Updated May 4, 2009.
- Radavelli-Bagatini S, Zhu K, Lewis JR, Dhaliwal SS, Prince RL. Association of dairy intake with body composition and physical function in older community-dwelling women. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013;113(12):1669-74. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2013.05.019
- Josse AR, Tang JE, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Body composition and strength changes in women with milk and resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010;42(6):1122-30. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c854f6
- Rautiainen S, Wang L, Lee IM, Manson JE, Buring JE, Sesso HD. Dairy consumption in association with weight change and risk of becoming overweight or obese in middle-aged and older women: a prospective cohort study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103(4):979-88. doi:10.3945/ajcn.115.118406
- Flom JD, Sicherer SH. Epidemiology of cow's milk allergy. Nutrients. 2019;11(5). doi:10.3390/nu11051051
Writer Bio
Lana Billings-Smith has been writing professionally since 1997. She has been published in the "Montreal Gazette" and the "National Post." She also teaches and lectures at McGill University. A certified personal trainer, she holds a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in leisure sciences and a minor in therapeutic recreation.