BfR Warning Prime the raw milk before consumption

Experts warn against health hazards caused by germs in fresh milk
Milk-fresh milk from the farm is very much in fashion. More and more growers are enabling their customers to tap the product directly from a raw milk dispenser. But before drinking the milk should necessarily be boiled, because this can be contaminated with pathogenic germs. This is indicated by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in a recent communication. If the milk is drunk untreated, the pathogens can lead to serious illnesses.

Untreated milk is tapped directly from the machine
Fresh milk from the farm is becoming increasingly popular. Recently, for example, researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) reported that raw milk is a good protection against asthma in children. The trend is towards the so-called "milk filling station", where consumers can tap the milk-fresh product from the machine around the clock. The untreated milk from cattle, sheep and goats is passed on to the consumer in this way without homogenisation and heat treatment (for example pasteurisation) with the natural fat content.

Raw milk can provide health benefits, but the BfR recommends boiling them down before eating them. (Image: rdnzl / fotolia.com)

As a result, it may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter or enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Especially by fecal contamination during milking, the germs could thus quickly reach the raw milk. The dispensers can keep the milk cool and prevent bacteria from multiplying, but if germs were already present, they can not be reduced by cooling.

Risk groups should also heat preferred milk
The risk of infection therefore remains, which is why the machines with the note "raw milk, boil before consumption" must be marked. However, isolated reports of foodborne infections in connection with the product would suggest that consumers would not always follow this advice, according to the BfR communication. The decoction of the fresh product is an extremely important process to avoid health risks. For infants, toddlers, the elderly and immunocompromised people, the food infections can take a particularly difficult course. Most are infections with Campylobacter, which are associated with fever, diarrhea and pelvic pain. In some cases, EHEC bacteria can also cause serious illness, especially infants have an increased risk for the "hemolytic uremic syndrome" (HUS), which can cause permanent kidney damage.

Accordingly, on the advice of the BfR, the risk groups mentioned should only consume preferred milk when boiled. This is packaged raw milk from specially controlled farms and available at retail outlets. Although strict regulations with regard to extraction and treatment apply to these, the occurrence of pathogens can not be ruled out, the BfR warns. Similarly, the preparation and consumption of unheated or "cold" cocoa drinks or other milk-based drinks (milkshakes) made from raw milk on the spot or at home should be discouraged, the institute continues. (No)