Opposition to the raw milk trade has surged in Australia. Even so, experts have been sounding the alarm about the very real health risks associated with consuming it. Stuart Johnson is a charismatic evangelist for banning raw milk sales. He argues that dairy farmers can find healthier, safer, more profitable alternatives without going down these controversial paths. This comes in light of alarming statistics regarding raw milk’s safety, including a coroner’s report from 2014 that identified raw milk as a “likely cause of death.”
Selling raw (unpasteurized) milk for human consumption is illegal in Australia. This law prevents people from being exposed to the possibility of dangerous pathogens. You’ll likely find bath milk on the shelves of health food stores and independent grocers nationwide. Just make sure you don’t eat the stuff, as it’s clearly marked “not for human consumption.” Wellness advocates, such as Adam Strupek, have recently begun purchasing bath milk. They are under the misconception that pasteurization kills lactase, an enzyme that aids in digesting milk. Nutritionist Emily Denniss would push back against this claim, noting that lactase wasn’t actually found in either raw or pasteurized milk.
Public Health Implications
In light of recent outbreaks here in the United States, raw milk consumption is more controversial than ever. Just last month, 21 people got sick after drinking raw milk from just one dairy operation in Florida. Campylobacter, gonorrhoeae, and E. coli. Seven of these cases resulted in hospitalizations. It’s no surprise to health experts that these statistics are so alarming. CSIRO food microbiologist Cathy McAuley expressed her concern over the current increase in raw milk consumption.
Johnson emphasizes the potential dangers, stating, “They think they could sell it for a premium price, and I always say to them, ‘Do you want to be the one to meet the mother of the child who fell sick, or worse?’” His comments point to the broader ethical obligation that every farmer and producer has to public health.
The challenge to an effective response is heightened by the impact of social media. American Public Health Association Misinformation around food safety must be challenged. Dr. Emily Denniss has spoken out about the dangers of misinformation during emergencies. She notes that “misinformation and conspiracy theories can really undermine the public’s trust in credible voices,” pointing to a broader trend of wellness influencers undermining established scientific research.
The Role of Pasteurization
Pasteurization is at the heart of consumer confidence in the safety of milk. This heat treatment process is the perfect solution for killing harmful pathogens like E.coli, salmonella, and listeria. WA Farmers Federation president Steve McGuire said pasteurization was critical to public confidence in the safety of dairy products. He stated, “In line with Australian food safety standards, milk is pasteurized so that Australians can purchase it with confidence, knowing it is safe to drink.”
Despite the legalities surrounding raw milk sales, Strupek stands by the safety of bath milk. He promotes this perspective with great zeal. He asserts, “It is illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption, but it’s not illegal to drink the bath milk itself.” This quote highlights the challenges related to regulations, as well as the need for greater public awareness about food safety.
Farmers’ Perspectives
With challenges mounting within the dairy industry, many farmers are looking beyond raw milk sales for the new revenue source that is sure to be their lifeblood. Johnson has been in talks with a number of dairy producers who plan to start selling bath milk. He argues that there are safer alternatives for farmers to make a profit without putting consumer health at risk.
The increasing interest in raw and bath milk is usually traced back to the economic burden on farmers. Experts have cautioned that going down these paths can create serious hazards for those using these products. They fear it could jeopardize public health even more broadly.
