One child death and four cases of serious illness have been linked to the consumption of raw milk in Victoria.
WHAT IS RAW MILK?
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurised.
IS RAW MILK LEGAL?
The sale of raw milk for human consumption is not legal in Australia.
IS RAW GOAT MILK LEGAL?
Raw goat milk is permitted for sale in four states: Queensland, NSW, SA and WA. It is legal to produce and sell raw goat milk because goats are free from many of the diseases of cattle.
WHAT ABOUT RAW MILK CHEESES?
Raw milk cheeses must be approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Their maturation must meet certain time, temperature and water content requirements in a process that has a similar outcome to pasteurisation.
WHY DRINK RAW MILK?
Some people want to eat less processed food.
Others believe pasteurisation reduces milk's nutritional value.
Some advocates argue raw milk is a solution for people who are lactose intolerant.
Some just prefer the taste.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH DRINKING RAW MILK?
Unpasteurised milk can carry bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and listeria, which are responsible for causing numerous food-borne illnesses.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF A FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS?
Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache and body ache.
WHEN WAS PASTEURISATION INTRODUCED?
First developed by French scientist Louis Pasteur in 1864, pasteurisation became standard practice in Australia in the mid-1950s.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY MILK IS PASTEURISED?
Read the label. Safe milk will have the word "pasteurised" on the label. Beware of milk or milk products at farm stands or farmers' markets unless you can confirm they have been pasteurised.
Share
