Research conducted by the British government recently found contamination with a form of tuberculosis bacterium in about 10% of samples of milk. And these results came after the dairy industry began advising milk producers to add an additional 10 to 15 seconds to the "flash" pastuerization process. To summarize:

• A comprehensive investigation on milk hygiene, led by the new Food Standards Agency in the UK, is currently underway and these findings were part of this much wider investigation into disease-causing agents in milk.

• The bacterium, mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP), does not cause tuberculosis in humans, but there is growing evidence linking it to Crohn's disease

• Crohn's disease is a debilitating digestive illness which affects an estimated 100,000 people in the UK and is increasingly common.

• It can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and serious weight loss.

• Some Crohn's sufferers have to undergo surgery to remove damaged sections of gut.

John Hermon-Taylor, professor of surgery at St George's medical school in London, is an expert on this subject. According to him "There is no doubt that there is a link." He stresses that "This bacterium does cause Crohn's disease in genetically susceptible people."

A National Dairy Council spokesman said: "It is right to investigate the issue and the British dairy industry has co-operated fully with the current survey."

The Sunday Times of London, August 6, 2000.

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Yet another reason to not drink milk. The answer is really not to change the pasteurization process as that is actually a major reason why milk is so unhealthy to begin with (CLICK HERE). The issue would be to have healthy cows that are fed and cared for well so that their immune system is capable of resisting these organisms and not passing them on its milk. However, if we are not able to feed ourselves well enough, the likelihood of farmers changing their cow's diet is even far lower. There are some organic cow farmers who probably have cows that produce milk that is acceptable for drinking as their cows are healthy and their milk is not processed in a way that would damage it. The non-profit group Physician's Commitee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) has filed a petition with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting an immediate investigation of the famous 'Milk Mustache' ads, which are helping to further reinforce the widespread belief that milk is a healthy food. Although I don't subscribe to the group's promotion of a vegan diet, they are right on target with their anti-milk campaign. Related Articles: Ulcer Therapy May Also Treat Crohn's Disease Milk Increases Risk of Type 1 Diabetes Cows' Milk, Diabetes Connection Bolstered Cow's Milk in Inafancy May Lead to Diabetes Don't Drink Your Milk!