'Sincere request': Don't drink or give raw milk to kids, says Liver Doc. Here's why

A recent post by "The Liver Doc" on X has sparked a significant debate on raw milk's health implications. In his post, The Liver Doc issued a strong warning: “Do not drink or feed your kids raw milk,” explaining that untreated milk could harbor harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria and emphasising that pasteurisation was introduced “for a reason.”

"Please do not drink and do not feed your kids raw milk. This looks and sounds cool, because it feels like you are doing it the natural way like our ancestors did and all, but remember that our ancestors lived a very long life of 25-30 years, mostly. Raw milk can contain dangerous bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia, Brucella, Coxiella and Listeria. H5N1 avian influenza ('bird flu') virus has been found in raw milk from cows infected with H5N1 influenza virus," he wrote.

"These are not your run-of-the-mill infections. Some of them can ruin your life (eg: Listeria can attack the brain and repeatedly give your child seizures) or kill you (severe Salmonella infection can lead to shock and shut down the heart and brain in limited time)" he added.

The responses, however, were mixed. Some defended raw milk based on personal experience, with one user stating, “I drink it every day and I’m thriving,” and another mentioning a lifetime of raw milk consumption without health issues, saying, “My father drank raw milk; he’s 80.” Others expressed curiosity about whether boiling pasteurized milk was necessary, with one person asking if it was only needed if the milk was left outside its original packaging.

Additionally, the question of milk’s necessity beyond infancy surfaced, with some commenters questioning its importance in adulthood. One commenter even suggested adding a “community note” under the post to clarify the risks.