Milk and milk products provide a wealth of nutrition benefits. But unpasteurized milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to you and your family. Pasteurized milk that is correctly handled in the dairy, bottled, sealed, and refrigerated after pasteurization, and that is properly handled by the consumer, is very unlikely to contain illness-causing germs. Considering the large amount of pasteurized milk that people drink, illness from it is very rare.
Many people eat food that has undergone minimal processing, and some people also choose to drink raw milk.
Raw milk and products made from it, however, can pose severe health risks, including death. That is because raw milk has not undergone a process called pasteurization that kills disease-causing germs.
MYTH: Raw milk is healthier and more nutritious than pasteurized milk.
MYTH: Drinking raw milk may not be safe, but no harm will come from eating products (soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt) made from raw milk.
MYTH: Milk is safe if it is labeled “organic.”
MYTH: Raw milk and products made from it – soft cheese and yogurt – are safe if they come from healthy animals.
MYTH: If animals are raised in sanitary conditions on humane farms, their milk is safe.
FACT: Most of the nutritional benefits of drinking raw milk are available from pasteurized milk without the risk of disease that comes with drinking raw milk.
FACT: Raw milk made into other products, like soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, can still cause dangerous infections. When consuming these products, make sure they are made from pasteurized milk.
FACT: Only organic milk that has been pasteurized is safe to drink.
FACT: Healthy animals can carry illness-causing germs, such as Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, that can contaminate milk.
FACT: Even dairy farms with very good safety practices can harbor illness-causing germs. And even if tests on a batch of a farm’s raw milk come back negative, it is no guarantee that the next batch of milk will be free of harmful germs.
Milk contamination may occur in these ways:
Animal feces coming into direct contact with the milk
Infection of the udder (mastitis)
Cow diseases (for example, bovine tuberculosis)
Bacteria that live on the skin of animals
Environment (for example, feces, dirt, and processing equipment)
Insects, rodents, and other animal vectors
Unsanitary conditions in milk processing plant
Cross-contamination from dairy workers, such as contact with dirty clothing or boots
Pasteurization is the only way to kill many of the bacteria in milk that can make people very sick.
Download a quick overview for staying healthy and free from food poisoning when getting takeout, delivery or dining out. A reference guide of invaluable information on meal prep, shopping, and storage lists of DOS and DON’TS food safety from the grocery cart to the refrigerator
7 Steps Community Meals and Food Safety in the Kitchen
How long can you store leftovers in the refrigerator? How can you tell when chicken breasts are done? How long does it take to cook a turkey? Check out these charts for fast answers.
Storing Food Charts
Storing Food Whether putting food in the refrigerator, the freezer, or the cupboard, you have plenty of opportunities to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Preparing and Cooking Food One of the basics of food safety is cooking food to its proper temperature. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
The FoodKeeper helps you understand food and beverages storage. It will help you maximize the freshness and quality of items. By doing so you will be able to keep items fresh longer than if they were not stored properly. It is also available as a mobile application for devices, Android and Apple.
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Food Safety Activities, Coloring Sheets, Infographics and Videos
Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving it Safely
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthful diet. They...
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthful diet. They contain high quality protein and other essential nutrients. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and ...shellfish can contribute to heart health and aid in children's proper growth and development. As you enjoy fresh and frozen seafood, it is important to handle these products safely in order to reduce the risks of foodborne illness. [vpfood]
Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Your...
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Your local markets carry an amazing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are both nutritious and delicious. As ...you enjoy fresh produce and fresh-squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, it is important to handle these products safely in order to reduce the risks of foodborne illness. [vpfood]
Are you smarter than a food label? Find out on our quiz show spoof...
Are you smarter than a food label? Find out on our quiz show spoof with host, "Labelman". Plus-CSI ("Calorie Scene Investigator"), a play-by-play sports show battle between two ...dinner parties, nutrition at the drive-through and more. Produced by FDA's Division of Communication Media for CFSAN. [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
The Food Label and You: The 5-20 Rule Part 1 (Historical PSA)
Our "Reporter on the Street" asks everyday people, "What's the 5-20...
Our "Reporter on the Street" asks everyday people, "What's the 5-20 Rule?". Our studio host explains. Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to ...update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
The Food Label and You: Game Show Review (Are You Smarter Than A Food Label?) (Historical PSA)
Spoof of the popular game show, this segment pits FDA's "Labelman"...
Spoof of the popular game show, this segment pits FDA's "Labelman" against a contestant in food label knowledge. Questions cover topics such as Calories, Serving Size, Servings per Container, ...The 5-20 Rule and more. Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
The Food Label and You: Road Food (Finding Nutrition Information on the Road) (Historical PSA)
Our host talks to a fast-food drive-through diner to demonstrate how to...
Our host talks to a fast-food drive-through diner to demonstrate how to find nutritional information when you are eating out. Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN. [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued ...final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
The Food Label and You: Party Food (Gametime/Play By Play) (Historical PSA)
Spoof of a Sunday Afternoon Sports show highlighting the importance of...
Spoof of a Sunday Afternoon Sports show highlighting the importance of using the nutrition facts label to control portions, fat, calories and percent daily value. Two studio "sports announcers" ... describe the "game day" food action of two parties: the first, a TV football game gathering and the second, a traditional sit-down dinner. Using the Nutrition Facts Label as their scorecard and the 5-20 Rule as their guide, the two announcers bounce back and forth between the action at the two sites, comparing serving sizes, ingredients and overall food choices in this "Battle of the Dueling Dinner Parties". Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
The Food Label and You: The 5-20 Rule Part 2 (Historical PSA)
In this take off from the 1950's, our mom explains nutrition facts to...
In this take off from the 1950's, our mom explains nutrition facts to her son using the Nutrition Facts Label and the 5-20 Rule. Grandpa makes an appearance to ...let us know his nutritional needs are different from his grandson's and how to take this into account. Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
Food Label and You: CSI (Calorie Scene Investigators) (Historical PSA)
A spoof on the popular CSI Series. This double-segment features CSI...
A spoof on the popular CSI Series. This double-segment features CSI actors "investigating" calories, serving size and servings per container--and how to tell how many calories are in a ...serving of a particular food. Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
Gia Mora hosts an exploration of "serving sizes" and servings per...
Gia Mora hosts an exploration of "serving sizes" and servings per container". Street interviewer Margo Seibert asks ordinary people on the street what a proper serving size is. ...Produced by CDRH-TV for CFSAN. [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
Spoof of a 1950's-era scientist giving a classroom presentation...
Spoof of a 1950's-era scientist giving a classroom presentation [vpfood]
NOTE: FDA has issued final changes to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods. For more information, read the Changes ...to the Nutrition Facts Label webpage: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/changes-nutrition-facts-label
Description of key preventive control provisions [vpfood]
Description of key preventive control provisions [vpfood]
Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving it Safely
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthful diet. They contain high quality protein and other essential nutrients. A well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fish and ...shellfish can contribute to heart health and aid in children's proper growth and development. As you enjoy fresh and frozen seafood, it is important to handle these products safely in order to reduce the risks of foodborne illness. [vpfood]