raw milk in focus: risks and myths you should know

Bonn | Hype drink: Whoever shouldn't drink raw milk

Bonn (dpa/tmn) - The Federal Center for Nutrition (BZFE) warns of the possible health risks of raw milk, which is currently heavily advertised by social media. Despite careful harvest and hygienic conditions in agriculture, dangerous germs can be contained in raw milk. The authority recommends using the dairy products processed or pasteurized to minimize health risks.

If you still want to buy raw milk, especially at milk filling stations, you should heat them. A heating to 72 degrees Celsius for at least 20 to 30 seconds is recommended to kill potential pathogens. Alternatively, preferred milk that is subject to stricter quality controls and is available in stores can be a safer option. Nevertheless, preferred milk is not completely free of infection risks and is not suitable for certain groups of people.

According to BZFE, certain people, including infants, toddlers, pregnant women, older people and people with a weakened immune system, should completely avoid raw milk. The health risk of these groups is particularly pronounced due to their increased susceptibility to infections.

alleged advantages of raw milk not documented

The supposed advantages of raw milk, such as improving hair health, reducing diseases or better digestion, is not scientifically proven, according to the BGFE. In addition, there are no significant differences in the nutrient composition between raw milk and heated milk. In particular, the essential nutrients calcium and protein remain intact when heated, which underlines the safety of heated milk from a health point of view.