FSAI advises consumers against drinking raw milk

A recommendation against drinking raw milk has been reiterated after a European food safety body published a paper highlighting the health risks involved.

In an expert opinion, the European Food Safety Authority said drinking raw milk can pose health risks to consumers and in some cases can result in serious illness.

The authority said raw milk can carry harmful bacteria and that implementing good hygiene practices at farm level is essential to reduce the risk of raw milk contamination.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said it has had a "long-standing recommendation" for consumers not to drink raw milk. "Pathogens such as E. coli O157, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria can cause severe foodborne illnesses and can be found in raw milk," the organisation said.

Its chief executive Alan Reilly said studies show children are at risk when drinking raw milk. “We are concerned about the food safety risks involved and particularly the health of infants, children, older adults, pregnant women and those with low immunity,” he said.

But the Campaign for Raw Milk, an organisation that includes a number of food producers, said consumers need to be free to make their own choices.

"People should be able to have a choice about the milk they drink," said Elisabeth Ryan, a spokeswoman for the group. She said raw milk carries only a very low health risk and many consumers believe it tastes better .

Ms Ryan said some consumers choose raw milk because it doesn’t “undergo an extra stage of processing” through pasturising.

She added that the FSAI’s advice to consumers to boil raw milk “misses the point”. She said although pasturisation does kill harmful pathogens, it also kills beneficial bacteria.

She said the Campaign for Raw Milk was calling on the Government to introduce “a set of fair regulations” around production. These would include labelling stipulations which would advise vulnerable groups, such as young children and elderly people, against drinking raw milk.