Don't drink raw milk directly from animal: Liver Doc's warning on health risks

Milk is an important source of nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. But to be safe and healthy, it must be handled and prepared properly.

In India, many people still drink raw milk - milk that hasn’t been boiled or pasteurised - because they believe it’s more natural or healthier. But health experts warn this trend is risky and even dangerous.

“Please do not feed your child cow’s milk directly from the animal’s udder,” he wrote. “Raw milk has become a ‘trad fad’ among so-called educated people who don’t understand how diseases spread. This level of child endangerment is beyond irresponsible.”

He added that microbes on the cow’s udder can be even more dangerous than those in the milk itself. “Always drink pasteurised milk,” he stressed.

WHAT'S SO DANGEROUS ABOUT RAW MILK?

Raw milk can contain harmful bacteria such as:

. E. coli – Can release deadly toxins in the gut, causing bloody diarrhoea and, in severe cases, kidney failure.

. Salmonella – Causes food poisoning and typhoid.

Listeria – Can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and serious infections, especially in pregnant women and the elderly.

. Staphylococcus – Leads to food poisoning and stomach issues.

. Coliform bacteria – Indicates poor hygiene in milk production.

These bacteria are invisible and cannot be detected by taste or smell. Drinking milk with these germs can result in severe illness.

In a detailed social media post, Dr. Philips described how just one untreated glass of raw milk could lead to a child suffering from kidney failure, seizures, and hospitalisation. He warned that even seemingly “fresh” milk can hide deadly bacteria.

IS RAW MILK A CURE FOR LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?

Some people believe raw milk



contains natural probiotics (good bacteria) that help with digestion and prevent lactose intolerance.

But according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw milk does not contain probiotics that are proven to help the gut. Instead, it can contain dangerous pathogens.

TRADITION VS. SAFETY

In many Indian households, people get milk directly from dairy farms and boil it before drinking - a practice that helps kill harmful bacteria. But some are now skipping this step and consuming raw milk straight from the source, influenced by online health trends.

Dr. Vibhu Kawatra, Senior Consultant Paediatric Pulmonologist at Vibhu Nursing Home in New Delhi, warned against this. “Raw milk can carry bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter, which cause serious infections. It’s especially risky for children, pregnant women, and the elderly,” he said.

Dr. Kawatra added that repeated exposure to such bacteria can even lead to kidney failure.

WHAT THE EXPERTS RECOMMEND

. Boil milk as soon as possible after purchase to kill bacteria.

. Buy pasteurised milk from trusted brands.

. Avoid giving raw milk to children, elderly people, pregnant women, and those with weakened immunity.

. Ignore viral trends that promote raw milk without scientific backing.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also warns that drinking raw milk can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and other flu-like symptoms, especially in vulnerable individuals.

Pasteurisation, a process where milk is heated to kill harmful microbes, makes milk safer without significantly affecting its nutritional value. With rising concerns over unregulated milk production and chemical use in dairy farming, buying pasteurised milk from a reliable source is the safest option.