Pediatrics · Obstetrics & Gynecology · Infectious Disease · 3 h ago
Pediatrics Policy Statement Highlights Raw Milk Risks in Pregnancy and Childhood
A policy statement in Pediatrics reviews infection risks from unpasteurized milk and milk products, particularly for pregnant people, infants, and children. It states that claimed health benefits lack an evidence base and that pasteurized milk offers equivalent health benefits without the additional infection risk.
- Raw milk can transmit pathogens causing severe illness and miscarriage.
- Pasteurization greatly reduces illness risk.
- Claimed raw milk health benefits lack an evidence base.
A policy statement published in Pediatrics addresses infections associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products, emphasizing risks to pregnant people, fetuses, infants, and children. The statement presents evidence on infection risk and severe complications rather than reporting a new clinical study. According to its abstract, sales of raw milk and milk products remain legal in at least 27 US states.
Unpasteurized products from cows, goats, and sheep can transmit Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species, Brucella species, and Escherichia coli O157. Infection can affect healthy and immunocompromised individuals and may lead to life-threatening illness or miscarriage. Pasteurization greatly reduces the risk of illness.
The statement says purported health benefits of raw milk have no evidence base and do not outweigh its risks. It also cites substantial data suggesting equivalent health benefits from pasteurized milk, without the additional infection risk. These conclusions are relevant to dietary counseling during pregnancy and childhood. Only the abstract was available; it provides no quantitative infection-risk estimates, detailed evidence appraisal, or full policy recommendations.
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Pediatrics: Consumption of Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk and Milk Products by Pregnant People and Children: Policy Statement ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.