The Tuberculosis Risk Behind TikTok's Beloved Raw Milk

Raw milk, often praised on social media platforms like TikTok for its purported health benefits, presents significant health risks due to its potential to carry harmful bacteria, including those responsible for tuberculosis (TB). Unlike pasteurized milk, which undergoes a heating process to kill pathogens, raw milk is consumed in its natural state, leaving consumers vulnerable to a range of infections. Tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs, can be transmitted through raw milk if the milk is sourced from infected cows. The resurgence of interest in raw milk, driven by influencers and viral content on TikTok, has led to increased consumption despite public health warnings. Proponents claim raw milk offers superior nutritional benefits and improved taste, but these claims are not scientifically substantiated and often overshadow the associated health risks. Health experts urge consumers to be cautious and consider the potential for contracting TB and other bacterial infections when choosing to consume raw milk. They recommend opting for pasteurized products that provide similar nutritional benefits without the health hazards. As the popularity of raw milk continues to grow online, awareness of its risks becomes crucial to prevent outbreaks and protect public health.

Cows can transfer tuberculosis to humans

Tuberculosis is arguably one of the most catastrophic diseases in human history. According to Partners in Health, a person succumbs to tuberculosis roughly every 20 seconds, leading to an annual death toll that surpasses the combined fatalities from HIV/AIDS and malaria. While infection rates are typically lower in developed nations like the U.S., a regression in our food safety standards could quickly exacerbate the situation.

Advocates of raw milk on TikTok assert that pasteurization diminishes the levels of vitamins and minerals in milk, but there is no scientific backing for this claim. Conversely, a review of 83 scientific studies published in the medical journal Tuberculosis revealed that raw milk can harbor Mycobacterium bovis, the bacterium responsible for bovine tuberculosis. To label this as a risk would be an understatement. In 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report linking 35 tuberculosis-related deaths in New York City to cheese made from raw milk, with thirteen of the deceased being children.

Fortunately, an increasing number of TikTok influencers are challenging the raw milk movement. Notable author and educator John Green, who has dedicated the last five years to researching tuberculosis, shared a TikTok video featuring accounts from tuberculosis patients who contracted the disease from raw milk and faced a lifetime of suffering and medical interventions. One woman even developed tuberculosis in her bones after consuming raw milk as a child.

Tuberculosis isn't the only risk of drinking raw milk

The threat of a potentially lethal illness like tuberculosis should be sufficient to deter us from consuming raw milk, but that's just the beginning. The hazards associated with raw milk include many of the most prevalent bacteria responsible for foodborne illnesses. Additionally, raw milk can harbor contaminants from farm sources, such as inadequately sanitized milking equipment, infections in a cow's udder, and even remnants of manure.

Recently, the widespread bird flu outbreak that impacted the American poultry sector has also affected the dairy industry. Cows have contracted bird flu, and, similar to tuberculosis, they can transmit it to humans through unpasteurized milk.

Despite the well-documented risks of drinking raw milk, numerous TikTok influencers with substantial followings continue to endorse it. The increasing legalization of raw milk sales in various states indicates that this trend goes beyond social media. However, evidence suggests that this can have dire consequences. A 2022 study from Cambridge revealed that the incidence of foodborne illnesses is more than three times higher in areas where raw milk sales are permitted. While TikTok influencers may gain views by disregarding this information, you should not follow suit.

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