A Lighter Touch

(from nutritioncpr.com)

As a kid I read how Louis Pasteur was a hero-scientist who saved many thousands of lives by making milk safe to drink. "Never drink raw milk" was food advice as sound as "never eat wild mushrooms."

A growing movement that touts its health benefits has caused regulators to lift bans on unpasteurized ("raw") milk:

Public health authorities and major dairy industry groups oppose the practice, saying such milk can be tainted with dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, salmonella, and listeria. But in state after state, those warnings have been overwhelmed by testimonials from fans of “raw milk,” who contend pasteurized milk is more difficult to digest because the process alters enzymes and kills helpful bacteria.

Federal experts say there is no proof that pasteurization makes milk less healthful. People on all sides of the issue say the rising interest in raw milk is fueled partly by distrust of public health authorities, which grew during the covid-19 pandemic.

Many health discussions require the weighing of risks and benefits. For me the benefits of drinking unpasteurized milk aren't compelling, nor are the risks small. (Maybe I'm still influenced by childhood hagiographies of Louis Pasteur.) So raw milk is a hard pass.

Nevertheless, your humble blogger supports the right of adults to make their own decisions after they've been given the information. I applaud regulators' removal of bans on raw milk but won't drink the stuff myself. Government should have a lighter touch.