Raw Milk: BC Center for disease control weighs in

Share

After a North Vancouver raw milk depot shut down in November, the debate continues. Is this milk safe for consumption? Farmers and raw advocates say it's the superior product, but the BCCDC thinks otherwise.

Raw milk refers to unpasteurized milk. It is taken straight from the cow, filtered and rapidly cooled. Raw milk farmers note that while there is no processing involved, there is definitely a process. The cows have ideally been fed only organic greens; filtration is thorough and the precise cooling immediate.

As a complete food source, raw milk proponents claim that it has endless health benefits and healing properties. Farm families have been consuming it through history. Raw milk advocates assert that the pasteurization process strips milk of the good bacteria and vitamins, taking away the enormous health benefits that it had in its most natural form.

In Canada, it is illegal to sell raw milk. There are concerns about E-coli, Listeria and other potentially lethal bacteria. The BC Health Minister claims that raw milk is "a risk to public safety." Raw milk is however still legal for farm families to consume. Un-pasteurized dairy farmers get around this by offering customers shares in the organization or initiating a co-op agreement. Other companies offer agency agreements for people wanting to buy US unpasteurized dairy. In both of these options the laws that prohibit a sale don't apply. 

Many studies support the benefits of raw milk, but this assumes a perfect farming, cooling and bottling environment. Authorities believe that there are simply too many variables to regulate and agree that the safest thing is pasteurized milk. Even if it has lost some benefit in the pasteurization process and harmful bacteria has been boiled off, that's a reasonable compromise.

The BC Center for Disease Control does not acknowledge the reliability of these studies and asserts "there is no credible or scientific evidence that raw milk produces any measurable health benefits over pasteurized dairy products." The BCCDC along with the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport warn British Columbians not to consume raw milk. They warn of particular vulnerabilities in children, elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. The consumption of raw milk could be fatal to them.

Ethical Kitchen in North Vancouver has had its raw milk depot shut down after the BCCDC found fecal contamination in products produced by the Home on The Range farm in Chilliwack. Controversial Kitchen and Ayurveda also had contaminated samples. The second cease and desist order by Fraser Health against this farm distributing raw milk was issued in December. Farm shareholders will now need to drive out to Chilliwack to get their unpasteurized milk. Farm representatives claim that it might be more difficult to obtain, but consumers want this product and will go through the effort to get it.

The BCCDC has issued firm warnings against consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Most consumers look to these local authorities for approval. It's easier to grab a jug of milk from the grocery store knowing that it has passed all the necessary health checks than it is to risk your health on a fringe product based on promises of better health. Raw milk advocates are insisting on seeing these test results, and despite warnings, many consumers wonder if public health really is the interest here.

- FRANCESCA CLARKE -