Raw Milk Poses Risk of E. coli and Listeria Infections
Some argue that raw milk is healthy; others, that it is dangerous because it can be contaminated with foodborne, bacterial pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella.
In the last 12 months, raw milk has been linked to at least 2 E. coli outbreaks, including one a few months ago that sickened 4 children in California and one a year ago that left 5 children hospitalized, 3 with kidney failure. Now, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has warned consumers in the Allegany County area not to consume raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm due to possible contamination with Listeria.
As more outbreaks and recalls involve raw milk (and they will), state legislators will have to decide whether the claimed benefits of raw milk outweigh the risks of serious foodborne illness. State legislators and consumers alike need to understand that when raw milk tests positive for a foodborne pathogen (Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria or Salmonella) it most likely means that cow manure has gotten into the milk, a relatively easy thing to happen given where milk comes from.
