Unpasteurized dairy products are dairy products that have not been heated to a temperature high enough to kill the harmful bacteria that can be found in dairy products. Milk, cheese and yoghurt are all examples of products that are made from milk that has not been subject to the process of pasteurisation.
The process of pasteurisation is a type of heat treatment that is used to kill harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli which are the types of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. In order to pasteurise milk, the temperature needs to be raised to at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit (71.7 degrees Celsius) for at least 15 seconds.
Consume unpasteurize dairy products can pose a health risk especially for pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems. This is because these demographics are more likely to become ill from consuming food that has been contaminate with harmful bacteria.
It is important to keep in mind that unpasteurize dairy products are not regulate by the government and are therefore not guaranteed to be safe for human consumption. However, unpasteurize dairy products are commonly sold at farmers markets and health food stores. If you choose to consume unpasteurized dairy products, it is imperative that you purchase them from a trustworthy source, as well as handle and store them in the appropriate manner, in order to reduce the likelihood of bacterial growth.
It is also essential to note that the process of pasteurisation does not alter the nutritional value of the dairy products; rather, it merely eliminates dangerous bacteria, making it preferable to consume dairy products that have been subjected to this process.
