Unpasteurized fresh milk is being chosen by many people because they believe it retains its freshness and natural nutritional content. However, experts warn that this type of milk still poses a risk of bacterial contamination if not treated and stored properly.
According to Ms. Edwina Raj, Head of Clinical Nutrition and Diet Services at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore (India), the biggest difference between pure fresh milk and sterilized milk lies in food safety.
Sterilization is the process of heating milk at the appropriate temperature for a short time to remove harmful bacteria but still retain most nutrients. This process helps reduce the risk of infection with bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli or Listeria that may exist in unprocessed milk.
According to experts, young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are groups that need to be careful when using unpasteurized milk due to the risk of infection that may affect health.
One of the reasons why pure fresh milk is popular is that many people believe that the sterilization process loses nutrients. However, according to experts, the nutritional difference between the two types of milk is insignificant.
Important nutrients such as protein, calcium and most vitamins are still maintained after sterilization. This means that sterilized milk can still meet daily nutritional needs without increasing the risk of infection.
Experts also said that there is currently no clear evidence that pure fresh milk brings superior health benefits compared to sterilized milk. Meanwhile, the risk of bacterial contamination from untreated milk is a widely warned issue.
In addition to nutritional factors, using pure fresh milk also requires strict storage conditions. This type of milk needs to be kept at a suitable temperature and used for a short time to limit bacterial growth.
Experts recommend that consumers prioritize using sterilized milk from reputable sources to ensure safety. For the majority of healthy people, sterilized milk still provides enough nutrients needed for the body.
In addition to choosing the right type of milk, experts also note that it is necessary to maintain a balanced diet, diversify foods and control the amount of sugar and fat in the daily diet to support long-term health.
