CONSUMPTION OF RAW MILK – WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE
By- KIROUCHENDRAJI SANDHIYA, M.V.Sc. SCHOLAR, KERELA VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION
Raw milk is a milk obtained from cow, sheep, goat or other animals- which are not pasteurized to kill pathogenic bacteria. Raw milk may contain dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella sp, E. Coli, Listeria sp, camphylobacter. Raw milk may contain potential microorganism which can cause serious threat to human beings.
FEW MISCONCEPTION ON CONSUMPTION OF RAW MILK
- Raw milk cannot prevent osteoporosis than pasteurized milk
- There is no beneficial bacteria in raw milk for gastro intestinal health
- Raw milk is not nutritionally superior to pasteurized milk
- Raw milk cannot boost immune system and its highly unsafe for children
- Raw milk cannot enhance immunity as there is no particular immunoglobulin as such
RISK FACTOR – WITH REGARD TO CONSUMPTION OF RAW MILK
Various studies has reported that there are several type of pathogen in raw milk which can lead to various health hazards to human beings. The prevalence of the pathogen in raw milk could be due to various reasons which are farm management practices, milking facilities, number of animals present in the farm etc. There are four main ways by which raw milk can be contaminated, first and foremost is the direct contamination from blood to milk, mastitis, faecal contaminations, through human hand. Even the milk which contain low bacterial count may contain pathogens.
RAW MILK/ ILLNESS IN HUMAN BEINGS
Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrohea, abdominal pain, flu like syndrome, headache, body ache
CONCLUSION
Though whole milk is considered to be food with high nutritious value, it has potential to transmit the pathogen which can further cause serious problem to human beings. Thus proper pasteurization is considered to be an effective ways to kill harmful micro-organism and render it safe for human consumption. Care must be taken to prevent post pasteurization contamination which can ensure safety to the consumers.
