Is it unhealthy to drink milk straight from a cow?

November 12, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1998 and 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. So, is it unhealthy to drink milk straight from a cow? Yes, due to the high risk of contamination from dangerous pathogens.

Quick Summary

Raw milk contains dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, posing severe foodborne illness risks. Pasteurization effectively eliminates these germs, making processed milk a safer choice. Certain groups face elevated health risks from unpasteurized dairy.

Key Points

High Risk of Contamination: Raw milk can contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, even from healthy cows.
No Proven Health Advantages: Scientific evidence does not support claims that raw milk is more nutritious or can treat allergies or lactose intolerance compared to pasteurized milk.
Greater Threat to Vulnerable Groups: Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face increased risk of severe illness or death from raw milk pathogens.
Pasteurization Ensures Safety: This heat treatment effectively kills harmful bacteria without significantly altering nutritional value.
Myths Lacking Scientific Basis: Common beliefs about raw milk's benefits, like superior probiotics or easing lactose intolerance, are not supported by science.

The Hidden Dangers in Unpasteurized Milk

While some find the concept of raw, unprocessed milk appealing for its perceived natural benefits, milk consumed directly from a cow without pasteurization carries significant health risks. Harmful bacteria can easily contaminate milk during the milking process, even with stringent hygiene, presenting a serious threat to human health.

How Raw Milk Can Become Contaminated

Contamination of unpasteurized milk can occur in several ways:

Animal Sources: Pathogens like Campylobacter and E. coli can be present in the cow's udder.
Environment: Fecal matter, dust, and uncleaned equipment in the milking environment can introduce bacteria.
Handling: Bacteria can multiply rapidly in raw milk after collection.

Even from seemingly healthy cows on clean farms, there's no assurance that raw milk is free from harmful bacteria. This is why major health organizations, including the CDC and FDA, strongly advise against its consumption.

Health Risks of Consuming Raw Milk

Drinking raw milk exposes individuals to dangerous microorganisms that can cause severe illnesses. These include Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 which can cause bloody diarrhea and potentially fatal kidney failure, Listeria which is particularly risky for vulnerable groups and can cause miscarriage, and Campylobacter. Raw milk can also contain Brucella, leading to brucellosis symptoms. Vulnerable populations face higher risks of life-threatening complications.

Raw vs. Pasteurized Milk: A Comparison

A comparison between raw and pasteurized milk highlights key differences, including processing methods, bacterial risk, nutritional value, and safety. Pasteurization involves heating to kill harmful bacteria, a process highly effective at eliminating dangerous germs, while raw milk remains untreated. Both types contain comparable nutrients like calcium and protein, with no significant nutritional difference between them. Pasteurization does not cause lactose intolerance, and pasteurized milk is considered safe for general consumption, unlike raw milk, which health organizations deem unsafe. The table below details these comparisons:


Feature	Raw (Unpasteurized) Milk	Pasteurized Milk	Reliability
Processing	Untreated.	Heated to kill harmful bacteria.	Highly effective at killing pathogens.	Yes
Bacterial Risk	High risk from pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella.	Low risk due to heating.	Eliminates dangerous germs.	Yes
Nutritional Value	Similar to pasteurized milk; claims of superiority lack scientific backing.	Contains comparable nutrients like calcium and protein.	No significant difference.	Yes
Lactose Intolerance	Contains lactose; does not alleviate intolerance.	Contains lactose; does not alleviate intolerance.	Pasteurization does not cause lactose intolerance.	Yes
Health Claims	Unproven claims, e.g., curing allergies or boosting immunity.	Provides nutritional benefits without health risks.	Supported by scientific evidence.	Yes
Safety	Considered unsafe by health organizations.	Considered safe for general consumption.	Highest level of safety.	Yes

The Pasteurization Process Explained

Pasteurization is a heat treatment designed to eliminate harmful bacteria in milk while preserving its nutritional value. Common methods include HTST (72°C for 15 seconds) and UHT (138-150°C for 1-2 seconds). This process has significantly reduced milk-borne illnesses, and the idea that it destroys nutrients is a myth.

Why Some Still Choose Raw Milk

Despite the clear risks, misconceptions drive some to consume raw milk. These often involve unsupported beliefs about higher beneficial enzymes, probiotics, or the ability to cure allergies or lactose intolerance. However, scientific research has refuted these claims. Any beneficial bacteria in raw milk are often not true probiotics and are overshadowed by potential pathogens. Safer probiotic sources include kefir or yogurt made from pasteurized milk.

Conclusion: Choose Safety

Drinking milk straight from a cow is unsafe. Unpasteurized milk poses a high risk of exposure to dangerous bacteria causing severe or fatal illnesses. Health experts advise against it, recommending pasteurized milk which offers the same nutritional benefits without the dangers. Choosing pasteurized milk is a safer choice. For more information, visit {Link: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/raw-milk.html}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raw milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization, a process using heat to kill harmful bacteria and germs.

Yes, harmful bacteria can be present on a cow or in the environment regardless of cleanliness, contaminating the milk. No farm can guarantee raw milk is entirely safe.

Symptoms vary from mild issues like vomiting and diarrhea to severe conditions such as kidney failure, paralysis, or stroke.

Scientific evidence does not show that raw milk provides significant nutritional or health benefits that pasteurized milk lacks.

No, pregnant women are at high risk from bacteria like Listeria in raw milk, which can lead to complications like miscarriage.

Pasteurization kills most bacteria, including some beneficial ones. However, bacteria in raw milk are often not truly probiotic and don't offer the same benefits as those in fermented products. The safety benefits outweigh this.

Look for the word "pasteurized" on the milk carton or bottle label. If purchasing from a direct source, confirm with the seller.

No, the organic certification relates to farming practices, not the elimination of pathogens. Organic raw milk still carries the same risks as conventional raw milk.