CDC cautions against drinking raw milk

While nearly all milk sold in the U.S. has been pasteurized, in recent years it's become more common to see raw milk products for sale at natural foods stores, farmers' markets, and specialty shops. If you're trying to avoid overly processed foods, you may wonder if raw milk is a healthy choice. Now, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend sticking with pasteurized milk products.

"It's important to understand the risks of drinking raw milk, especially because you may be hearing claims about the supposed 'benefits,'" the CDC states on its website. "Perhaps you've heard that raw milk can even prevent or solve various health problems."

However, when milk is not pasteurized (which involves heating it to kill disease-causing bacteria), germs can remain that make it unsafe to drink, the CDC says.

"You can't look at, smell, or taste raw milk and tell if it's safe to drink," the CDC warns. "If you're thinking about drinking raw milk because you believe it has health benefits, consider other options." For more, visit www.cdc.gov and search for "raw milk."