The panel on biological hazards does not consider the risk connected to consumption of raw milk and colostrum from other ruminants to be very different from the risk connected to consumption of raw milk from cows

The background for the request from the Food Safety Authority in 2005 was the introduction of new hygiene regulations, and a need for an assessment whether the regulations for trade of unpasteurized milk required to be changed on a national level.

The risk assessment concluded that many pathogenic microorganisms can be found in raw milk and many of these represent a hazard to human health. Based on the current epidemiological situation in Norway, the risk of transmission of E. coli O157:H7 and other EHEC strains, Campylobacter jejuni and Listeria monocytogenes to humans via consumption of raw milk, is high.

In January 2007, the Food Safety Authority asked VKM for a new opinion regarding the trade and consumption of raw milk and colostrum from other (untraditional) species (sheep, goat, mare and reindeer).

The panel on biological hazards does not consider the risk connected to consumption of raw milk and colostrum from other ruminants to be very different from the risk connected to consumption of raw milk and colostrum from cows.

The panel on biological hazards was responsible for the risk assessment.