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Nutrition and daily life

Raw milk: why it is a risk

Village milk is seen as natural and healthy, but unpasteurised milk can carry Brucella, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter. Brucellosis still occurs in Azerbaijan. During treatment these infections can be severe.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A pail of milk in shadow.
Figure 1.Village milk — Raw milk: why it is a risk

01Short answer

During treatment avoid raw milk and products made from it (homemade yogurt, ayran, cottage cheese, cream, cheese, butter). Choose pasteurised or UHT milk. If there is no other option, bring milk to a rolling boil, cool it covered and use it within 1 day; but this is less reliable than pasteurised milk, so agree it with your team during neutropenia. Raw milk is no more nutritious than pasteurised. Family members drinking raw milk can bring infections such as brucellosis into the home.

02Simple explanation

No raw milk.

No homemade dairy.

Pasteurised or UHT.

If needed, boil it.

03Scientific explanation

WHO: brucellosis spreads mainly through unpasteurised milk and dairy products; pasteurisation removes the risk.

WHO: foodborne illness is more severe in people with weakened immunity; the five keys are keep clean, separate, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.

04What happens in the body?

Nutrition

Pasteurisation does not significantly change protein or calcium.

Milk coming to the boil.
Figure 2.Boiling — Raw milk: why it is a risk

Animals

In households with livestock, wash hands after touching animals.

A sealed carton in light.
Figure 3.Pasteurised — Raw milk: why it is a risk

Neutropenia

When neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.

General rules

This section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

05Safety: four steps

Check, swap the risky, prepare properly, use in time.

Check — Date and condition.1CheckDate and condition.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Prepare — Clean and thorough.3PrepareClean and thorough.
In time — No delay.4In timeNo delay.
CleanHands and surfaces.
CookGerms die.
ColdGrowth slows.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
NutritionPasteurisation does not significantly change protein or calcium.
AnimalsIn households with livestock, wash hands after touching animals.
NeutropeniaWhen neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.
General rulesThis section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

07Key terms

Brucellosis
A bacterial infection caught from animals.
UHT
Ultra-high-temperature treatment.
Foodborne infection
An infection spread through food or water.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Avoid raw milk.
  • Choose pasteurised.
  • No homemade dairy.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Call if you have a fever.

09Frequently asked questions

Is boiled village milk OK?

It lowers the risk, but ask your team during neutropenia.

Goat's milk?

Same rules: pasteurised only.

Are these rules for ever?

No. They are usually relaxed as blood counts recover; your team will say.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is boiled village milk OK?

  2. Goat's milk?

  3. Are these rules for ever?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization. Brucellosis fact sheet
  2. World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food manual
  3. World Health Organization. Food safety fact sheet
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safe Food Handling
  5. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  6. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2008. Randomized Comparison of Cooked and Noncooked Diets in Patients Undergoing Remission Induction Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About C. diff
  9. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2020. Antiemetics: ASCO Guideline Update
  10. New England Journal of Medicine, 2011. The tumor lysis syndrome
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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