Can I catch COVID19 by drinking raw milk?
It is highly unlikely that COVID19 could be transmitted through drinking raw milk. According to RAWMI Advisory Board Member Dr Anna Catharina Berge, DVM:
There are no indications that the current respiratory coronavirus COVID19 can spread to ruminants. Most viruses are very specific as to which species they can infect. The cell surface differences between species make it difficult for viruses to infect differing cells. Some viruses are better at spread between species than others, such as the influenza virus. However, even with those viruses, mostly the spread between species has to do with a mutation and thereafter the virus has made the leap and goes to intra-species transmission...
The main mode of transmission for COVID19 is through respiratory droplets. It may also have a faecal-oral transmission pathway, and this may have been important transmission pathway on cruise ships. The source of the virus is still not clear, the wild game speculations have not been confirmed...
Extremely few viruses spread through milk. The only ones that I have found are Tickborne Encephalitis Virus (TBE) and possibly Bovine Leukemia virus. However, for TBE, it is not known that the presence of virus in the milk represents the mode of transmission. Thus the likelihood that this coronavirus COVID19 should spread through milk is very small.
Anna Catharina Berge, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Berge Veterinary Consulting BV
website: http://bergevetconsulting.com email: cat@bergevetconsulting.com
Does raw milk strengthen the immune system?
Multiple studies have shown that raw milk consumption is correlated with improved immune system function. Raw milk consumption has been correlated with reduced risk of respiratory infections and fevers, as well as reduced risk of asthma and allergies.
A study of over 900 European children concluded that, "Early life consumption of raw cow's milk reduced the risk of manifest respiratory infections and fever by about 30%" [1]
A study of over 8,000 European children showed that raw milk consumption is associated with significantly lower rates of asthma and allergies[2].
A study of over 14,800 European children concluded that there is a "significant inverse association between farm [raw] milk consumption and childhood asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, sensitization to pollen, a mix of food allergens, and horse dander" [3].
A study of over 3,000 USA adults concluded that, " Raw milk, if the main type of milk consumed in childhood, was also associated with reduced risk of atopy [allergic disease]" and current raw milk consumption in adulthood intensified this beneficial effect [4].
A meta-analysis (which is a quantitative statistical analysis of multiple scientific studies) concluded that, when taken as a whole, the body of data from the previous studies shows that raw milk consumption in childhood has a protective effect on asthma, current wheeze, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and atopic sensitization (allergies to environmental triggers). “The effect particularly on asthma was observed not only in children raised on farms (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.82) but also in children living in rural areas but not on a farm (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74). This demonstrates that the effect of farm milk consumption is independent of other farm exposures and that children not living on a farm can theoretically profit from this effect” [5].
A study found that raw milk components have specific antiviral effects. Raw milk “proteins and peptides that have been identified with antiviral properties are broad spectrum components targeting general features and mechanismes involved in a viral infection cycle.” Specifically, “casein proteins, as well as casein fragments, function as antiviral and immune regulatory factors by regulating the innate immune response both through up-regulation to enhance killing of viruses, and down-regulation to reduce detrimental conditions such as sepsis… Additionally, caseins link the innate immune system to the adaptive immune system by activating and/or enhancing B- and T-cell mediated functions. The whey protein lactoferrin…[has] been studied extensively for its antiviral properties… and lately more complex antiviral mechanisms involving stimulation and regulation of the immune system have been discovered…” [6].
Does raw milk support lung health?
Raw milk has been correlated with improved lung health. For instance, a study of over 3,000 USA adults concluded that, "raw milk consumption, particularly early in life, is associated with better pulmonary [lung] function in adulthood." This study found that childhood raw milk consumption was correlated with “higher forced expiratory volume in the first second” and higher “forced vital capacity”, leading the researchers to conclude that “the beneficial effect of raw milk is predominantly on lung growth” [7].
Is raw milk healthier than pasteurized milk?
Current science has shown that pasteurization has a negative effect on the nutritive qualities of milk, and the impact is not inconsequential. Pasteurization of milk has been shown to:
Reduce the bioavailability of calcium and phosphorus [8, 9],
Reduce the presence of copper and iron [10],
Destroy beta-lactoglobulin, thereby decreasing intestinal absorption of Vitamins A and D [13, 14],
Destroy probiotics [15], including lactobacillus and pediococcus, and
Inactivate beneficial enzymes, including lactase, anti-inflammatory alkaline phosphatase, and lactoperoxidase [16, 17].
In many ways, raw milk can be likened to breastmilk: they both contain a wide array of beneficial nutrients, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, in their natural form which is most easily utilized by the body. Both raw milk and breastmilk are designed to provide excellent nutrition and strengthen the immune system . Raw milk, and especially raw milk from pastured animals [18], is a great source of calcium, iron, Vitamins A, D & K, phosphorus, zinc, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega-3 fatty acids, plus many beneficial enzymes and probiotics.
I thought raw milk was unsafe. Isn't pasteurization necessary for safety?
It is true that raw milk produced as “intended for pasteurization” and sourced from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is generally unsanitary and unsafe to consume raw. Such milk is being produced in conditions where animal health is compromised, antibiotics are utilized, hormones are used to stimulate higher levels of milk production, there is an abundance of manure, and there is a corresponding high rate of pathogens. This type of milk is generally commingled with milk from multiple dairies, which increases the risk of pathogenic exposure. This type of raw milk is actually defined under the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. At the Raw Milk Institute, we agree that consumption of this type of raw milk is high risk.
However, raw milk that is carefully and intentionally produced for direct human consumption is a low-risk food. This type of raw milk is wholly different from raw milk being produced in unhygienic conditions. Raw milk intended for direct human consumption is produced in sanitary conditions, with much care to ensure that the animals are healthy and that the milk is clean. This type of raw milk is tested often and held to rigorous standards to ensure that it is being produced in a way that discourages pathogen growth.
There is no such thing as a perfectly safe food [19]. However, studies have shown that raw milk is a low-risk food when there are proper training of farmers, careful production practices, and ongoing testing.
A study of intentional raw milk production and testing practices in the USA, Canada, and Germany concluded that, "raw milk can be produced with a high level of hygiene and safety” [20].
Research has shown that the rate of raw milk related outbreaks is decreasing, meanwhile the consumption of raw milk is increasing. For instance, one study concluded that “Controlling for growth in population and consumption, the [raw milk] outbreak rate has effectively decreased by 74% since 2005 [21].
Where can I find tested, low-risk raw milk?
The Raw Milk Institute has a LISTING program for raw milk farmers who have been trained in raw milk risk management and optimization. LISTED farmers are diligent about producing clean, safe raw milk. They test their milk often with rigorous standards to ensure that their milk is being produced in a way that discourages pathogen growth. Due to FDA Restrictions, raw milk is sold only within each state in which it is produced. Please use our helpful locator for RAWMI LISTED farm locations.
What if there aren't any Raw Milk Institute LISTED dairies near me?
If there are no RAWMI LISTED raw milk dairies near your location, these resources might be helpful.
Since most of these dairies have not been LISTED by RAWMI, it is recommended that you do some research to make sure that the raw milk you buy is low-risk. Here is a short list of some things to look for in a raw milk dairy:
Make sure the cows look like they're in good health, with regards to body confirmation, udders, coat, etc.
Check whether the cows get sunshine and have access to outdoors and some grass.
Inspect to make sure that everything involved in the miking process looks very clean, including the milking parlor, all milking equipment, bottle cleaning area, bottling area, milk jars/bottles, etc.
Find out about their process for cleaning bottles, such as whether they use hot water, washing machine, etc.
Ask to see what the udder cleaning process looks like, making sure the udders are cleaned very well, stripped, pre-dipped, and dried before milking begins.
Learn about their milk chilling process. The milk needs to be chilled quickly to just above freezing in ~45 minutes, such as with an ice bath or other more high-tech chilling equipment.
Find out what their water source is and whether their water is tested regularly.
Find out what the shelf-life of their milk is, from fresh to souring. Cold, clean raw milk should have good flavor and taste for at least 12-14 days or even longer. Short shelf life with rising bubbles in the milk would indicate high presence of coliform bacteria, which indicates that the milk is not hygienic.
Ask about what regular testing they do, and find out specifically what their coliform counts have been.
Take a look into the farmer's kitchen: does it look clean and orderly? Look at their truck, too. Personal practices often say so much about behaviors when no one is watching.
To really make sure their overall processes and procedures are optimal for low-risk raw milk, direct them to contact RAWMI and consider becoming RAWMI LISTED.
References
[1] Consumption of unprocessed cow's milk protects infants from common respiratory infections. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2015; 135 (1): 56-62. Loss G, Depner M, Ulfman LH, Joost van Neerven RJ, Hose AJ, Genuneit J, Karvonen M, Hyvärinen A, Kaulek V, Roduit C, Weber J, Lauener R, Pfefferle PI, Pekkanen J, Vaarala O, Dalphin JC, Riedler J, Braun-Fahrländer C, von Mutius E, Ege MJ; PASTURE study group. https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2814%2901274-3/fulltext
[2] The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: The GABRIELA study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011; 128 (4): 766-73. Loss G, Apprich S, Waser M, Kneifel W, Genuneit J, Büchele G, Weber J, Sozanska B, Danielewicz H, Horak E, Joost van Neerven RJ, Heederik D, Lorenzen PC, von Mutius E, Braun-Fahrländer C; GABRIELA study group. https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(11)01234-6/fulltext
[3] Inverse association of farm milk consumption with asthma and allergy in rural and suburban populations across Europe. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 2007; 37(5):661-70. Waser M, Michels KB, Bieli C, Flöistrup H, Pershagen G, von Mutius E, Ege M, Riedler J, Schram-Bijkerk D, Brunekreef B, van Hage M, Lauener R, Braun-Fahrländer C; PARSIFAL study team. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17456213
[4] Early-life farm exposures and adult asthma and atopy in the Agricultural Lung Health Study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2017; 140 (1): 249-56. House JS, Wyss AB, Hoppin JA, Richards M, Long S, Umbach DM, Henneberger PK, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP, O’Connell EL, Barker-Cummings C, London SJ. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429211/
[5] The Beneficial Effect of Farm Milk Consumption on Asthma, Allergies, and Infections: From Meta-Analysis of Evidence to Clinical Trial. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2020 Mar;8(3):878-889.Brick T, Hettinga K, Kirchner B, Pfaffl MW, Ege MJ. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31770653
[6] Milk Derived Peptides with Immune Stimulating Antiviral Properties. InTech. September 2012; 45-82. Sun H, Jenssen H. https://www.intechopen.com/books/milk-protein/milk-derived-peptides-with-immune-stimulating-antiviral-properties
[7] Raw Milk Consumption and Other Early-life Farm Exposures and Adult Pulmonary Function in the Agricultural Lung Health Study. Thorax. 2018; 73(3): 279-82. Wyss AB, House JS, Hoppin JA, Richards M, Hankinson JL, Long S, Henneberger PK, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP, O'Connell EL, Cummings CB, Umbach DM, London SJ. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5758444/
[8] A Comparison of Raw, Pasteurized, Evaporated, and Dried Milks as Sources of Calcium and Phosphorus for the Human Subject. Department of Food Economics and Nutrition, Kansas Experiment Station, Manhattan. 1928. Kramer MM, Latzke E, Shaw MM.
[9] Assessing the effects of severe heat treatment of milk on calcium bioavailability: in vitro and in vivo studies. Journal of Dairy Science. 2010; 93(12): 5635-43. Seiquer I, Delgado-Andrade C, Haro A, Navarro MP. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21094734
[10] Effect of processing on contents and relationships of mineral elements of milk. Food Chemistry. 1994; 51(1): 75-78. Zurera-Cosano G, Moreno-Rojas R, Amaro-Lopez M. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0308814694900507
[11] Influence of thermal and other manufacturing stresses on retinol isomerization in milk and dairy products. Journal of Dairy Research. 1998; 65(2): 253-60. Panfili G, Manzi P, Pizzoferrato L. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/9627844
[12] A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pasteurization on milk vitamins, and evidence for raw milk consumption and other health-related outcomes. Journal of Food Protection. 2011;74(11):1814-32. Macdonald LE, Brett J, Kelton D, Majowicz SE, Snedeker K, Sargeant JM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22054181
[13] Intestinal uptake of retinol: enhancement by bovine milk beta-lactoglobulin. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1989; 49(4): 690-94. Said HM, Ong DE, Shingleton JL. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/49/4/690/4732752
[14] Evidence for beta-lactoglobulin involvement in vitamin D transport in vivo--role of the gamma-turn (Leu-Pro-Met) of beta-lactoglobulin in vitamin D binding. FEBS Journal. 2009; 276(8):2251-65. Yang MC, Chen NC, Chen CJ, Wu CY, Mao SJ. https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.06953.x
[15] The growing role of probiotics. Harvard Men's Health Watch. 2018. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-growing-role-of-probiotics
[16] Alkaline Phosphatase Testing for Milk Pasteurization. Dairy Foods Science Notes. 11-07. Department of Food Science, Cornell University. https://foodsafety.foodscience.cornell.edu/sites/foodsafety.foodscience.cornell.edu/files/shared/documents/CU-DFScience-Notes-Milk-Alk-Phosphatase-11-07.pdf
[17] Proteolytic Systems in Milk: Perspectives on the Evolutionary Function within the Mammary Gland and the Infant. Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia. 2015; 20(3-4):133-47. DC Dallas, NM Murray, J Gan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637187/
[18] The Role of Trees and Pastures in Organic Agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture Research. 2015; 4: 47-55. J Heckman. http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/sar/article/view/50105
[19] Securing Fresh Food From Fertile Soil, Challenges to the Organic and Raw Milk Movements. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, Cambridge University Press. 2017. J Heckman. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/renewable-agriculture-and-food-systems/article/securing-fresh-food-from-fertile-soil-challenges-to-the-organic-and-raw-milk-movements/18325E375E068A538E07EF4E6F6ABA22
[20] Raw Milk Producers with High Levels of Hygiene and Safety. Epidemiology and Infection, vol. 148, 2020, p. e14. Berge, A. C., and T. Baars. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32000877
[21] Recent Trends in Unpasteurized Fluid Milk Outbreaks, Legalization, and Consumption in the United States. PLOS Currents. 2018; 10. Whitehead J, Lake B. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6140832