Should you eat raw milk cheese products? An expert wouldn’t advise it | CNN

Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of an especially dangerous type of E. coli infection linked to raw cheddar cheese, according to an alert from the US Food and Drug Administration. Nine people have become ill and three have been hospitalized, prompting food safety experts to renew warnings about the risks associated with raw milk and cheeses made from it. At the same time, a growing number of consumers are seeking out raw milk for perceived health benefits, despite longstanding warnings from public health authorities about its safety. The tension is rising about whether raw milk is safe, who should be especially careful and what consumers should know when choosing dairy products. To help make sense of it all, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner. CNN: What is this type of E. coli, and why is it particularly problematic? Dr. Leana Wen: E. coli refers to a very common group of bacteria, many of which live harmlessly in people’s intestines. Certain strains can cause severe disease. One of the mos