Well,
I would hate to think this is an argument. I like to have information presented to me because perhaps someone else is correct and I am not aware of the total information.
However, we continue to say that the information presented here is FACT...yet we still have not shown
peer reviewed scientific information to support our statements. Statements made by farmers, fitness experts, or just people who like a healthy life are not fact...they are opinion however in this thread we are stating them as fact.
There is no need for me to contact various Organic Food organisations because they will readily agree that the main reason we process perishable items like milk is due to the handling the consumer will give them...ie..during shipping, in the home etc...The Organic Dairy will also assure you that because they themselves have low bacterial counts it has NO bearing on what happens on a large scale and mishandling by consumers. Without pasteurisation the bacteria load is higher therefore milk will only last a short period of time (a couple days).
Organic milk producers undergo inspection by...uh...Food Technologist to ensure they are using proper handling procedures. Their milk is still examined for what is called microbial load or any detection of a range of bacteria that may indicate fecal contamination. So maybe I do have a clue as to what I am talking about?
My background is in food technology & nutrition. I have worked with food in industry for MANY years. This includes several years as a quality control microbiolgist. Protein foods such as milk and eggs are hosts for bacteria. They require care for todays consumer who is not aware how to handle or prepare food. (it also prevents law suits LOL). In fact I would use milk, meats, eggs to induce bacteria growth. (when was the last time you made homemade ice cream, cheese,yogurt, baked a cake from scratch, smoked your own nuts, dried meat for jerky etc...) Food handling and preparation is a dying/dead art.
One reason raw milk was changed into cheese, yogurt, and other fermented products was to PRESERVE the milk and keep it from carrying bacteria/poisoning...NOT so that the farmers had a new refreshing treat.
As I said earlier (but some kind of way that was skipped over) sure you can drink raw milk, if you raise the cow. Would you be willing to drink raw milk produced by ANYONE who say they can do it? The risks are VERY high as ANY organic food producer will tell you. Do that on a large scale (millions of people) and you are asking for an outbreak (thats why its not done..not because of some conspiracy)
Food processing is not evil...its ancient, been around for thousands of years.
The question is...how much of it is appropriate.
Personally, I am willing to invest in the quality of my life and make foods from scratch as many bodybuilders and food technologist do.