5 states in USA have reported 25 people falling sick after eating raw milk Gouda cheese, manufactured from Bravo Farms. This has once again raised the question - are raw milk cheeses safe? FDA and CDC have warned citizens from consuming Bravo Farm’s raw milk cheese. The farm is investigating the cause of contamination and called off its Gouda cheese. E Coli bacterium found in Gouda cheese is suspected to be the culprit.

Use of raw milk cheeses is prevalent much prior to the industrial development era. In Europe it is legal to produce and sell raw milk cheese. Till today, raw milk cheese is consumed in huge quantity in France. If you ask a French man “should you eat raw milk cheese?” the answer will be an obvious yes. Cheese enthusiasts laud the benefits of eating raw milk cheeses for its rich, creamier, complex taste and health benefits. After all French are enjoying raw milk cheese for centuries.

Raw milk cheese contains more enzymes, beneficial bacteria and more vitamins than pasteurized milk cheeses. It contains Linoleic acids that help fight cancer and aids quick weight loss.

According to US cheese makers, raw milk cheese is absolutely safe provided it is manufactured under sanitary conditions. Traces of E coli found in Gouda cheese is a new finding with CDC. So its clear that E coli is a new born bacterium. In June 2010, FDA raided Rawsome Foods grocery store to find some illegal cheeses supplied by Morningland Dairy. The problem therefore lies with the raw cheese making process at these farms and not with all the raw milk cheeses. FDA should be regularizing raw milk cheese making process for the consumers to reap the benefits, instead of just putting a ban on this food category. The curing time of 60 days is fixed by FDA, curing kills bacteria that are harmful for human consumption. Raw milk cheeses cured for 60 days were also detected with stains of E Coli, the same bacteria that was found in raw milk Gouda cheese.

US regulations are allowing import of some raw milk cheese while manufacturing it locally has been banned.

Image Courtesy: twigfarm.com