Editor’s Note: The following commentary is in recognition of National Dairy Month Milk and milk products like yogurt and cheese have many healthy nutrients. However, raw milk, or unpasteurized milk, can contain harmful germs that could lead to foodborne illnesses. Protect yourself from illnesses caused by unpasteurized milk and milk products during National Dairy Month by reading about raw milk and practicing safe food handling.

People at higher risk of infections or foodborne illnesses are: Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific combination of temperature and short time to kill harmful germs. Any animal milk or animal milk product made with milk that has not gone through pasteurization is considered unpasteurized or raw. Raw milk can carry germs that can cause foodborne illnesses like Salmonella, E.

coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria. Symptoms of foodborne illness, often called food poisoning, include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flu-like symptoms. In some cases very serious symptoms and complications can be caused.

Protect yourself against foodborne illness from unpasteurized milk . Ask Questions Milk Myths Know About Low- and High-Risk Milk Products Choose your milk and milk products carefully to avoid getting sick from germs found in raw milk. The guidelines below include low- and high-risk milk products, especially if you are at higher risk for infections or foodborne illnesses.

Low Risk: High Risk: For more information, visit https://www.f.