FDA and KDHE Warn Consumers About Raw Milk

Infozine reports that following the E. coli outbreak in Washington, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is joining the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in their effort to warn the public against drinking raw milk.
In addition, an advisory has been issued from the Oklahoma State Health Department about potential rabies exposure from drinking raw, unpasteurized milk or cream sold from a dairy in Claremore, Oklahoma, after one of the cows on the farm was confirmed to have rabies.
Pasteurization is the only effective method for eliminating the bacteria in raw milk and milk products. Pasteurization can also prevent diseases as tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio, Q fever, salmonellosis, strep throat, scarlet fever, and typhoid fever.
More than 300 people in the United States became ill by drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk in 2001, and nearly 200 became ill from these products in 2002.