A report by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has shown that the consumption of unpasteurised milk increases the risk of developing foodborne illnesses.
The report details the result of a microbiological survey that confirmed the presence of pathogens in raw milk, as well as the in-line filters used in milking equipment. Detection rates of Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter were 7% and 3% in raw milk, while each had detection rates of 20% and 25% respectively in milk filter samples.
Salmonella was found in 1% of raw milk filters and 0.5% in raw milk samples. E. coli 026 was detected in 6% of raw milk filter samples, showing its potential to contaminate raw milk.
The FSAI is continuing to warn against the drinking raw milk and recommends that the sale of raw milk for direct human consumption should be prohibited.
Dr Wayne Anderson, Director of Food Science and Standards, FSAI, commented that while the market for raw milk in Ireland is small, it still poses public health risks.
“We are therefore recommending that raw milk should be avoided by consumers, but for those who still wish to drink it, they should, at a minimum, boil the milk before drinking it to kill any potentially harmful bacteria,” he added.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
