Home Food Safety Raw Milk is Inherently Unsafe and Responsible for Repeated Outbreaks

Raw Milk is Inherently Unsafe and Responsible for Repeated Outbreaks

In my line of work representing victims of foodborne illness, I have frequent contact with food safety experts including microbiologists, epidemiologists, sanitarians and infectious disease physicians. Not once have any of these experts ever recommended consumption of raw milk.

Why? Because EXPERTS, the people who have studied, trained, conducted experiments, treated patients and written peer-reviewed articles (not pseudo-scientists who BELIEVE something to be true), know that raw milk is inherently unsafe. Raw milk is responsible for repeated outbreaks and will continue to cause injury and death no matter what its proponents claim to the contrary.

Need proof? Look no further than this month’s raw milk outbreak involving fourth graders at a public school in Wisconsin.

In Racine County, Wisconsin a parent (!) brought raw milk to a school event. Sixteen people, including at least nine children, were poisoned with Campylobactor jejuni bacteria after consuming the donated milk.

According to Wisconsin officials, this incredibly stupid action on the parent’s part was not illegal. Apparently, any person who lawfully purchases raw milk can give it away to anyone with impunity.

Proponents claim that consumption of raw milk is healthful, nutritious and a matter of personal choice. Their argument is that if a person knows of the risk (which they claim is de minimis) and chooses to encounter it, it is that person’s choice and the state should not intrude.

Fair enough. Except, that a) there is no proof raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk; b) the risks associated with raw milk are not de minimis; c) when people become ill from raw milk, as some inevitably will, we all (not just the victim) have to pay for it, and d) as this case tragically illustrates, “freedom of choice” does not prevent innocent children from being harmed.

According to a Wisconsin newspaper, “bills to legalize the sale of unpasteurized milk have been introduced in the Legislature in the past. One passed last year, but former Gov. Jim Doyle vetoed it citing the danger to public health.” Enough said.

Attorney Fred Pritzker represents campylobacteriosis victims and their families nationwide. He is currently representing a man who consumed raw milk contaminated with Campylobacter, developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and is now paralyzed. Mr. Pritzker can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or by submitting our contact form.

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