Abstracts TPS

Background: Although there are still some microbial safety concerns with the consumption of raw milk (RM) and RM products, its use is increasingly popular, and positive health effects are reported by consumers. The purpose of this study was to examine consumer health effects of switching to RM products in a US population.\nMethod: Raw milk consumers were invited to complete an online survey. They were recruited at various US farms where they ought RM products. Data were collected on demographics, including the presence of chronic diseases. Subjects assessed their past health status (before switching to RM) and current health status (at least 2 months after switching to RM). The assessments included perceived immune functioning and health, which were scored on scales ranging from 0 (very bad) to 10 (very good), eleven gastrointestinal bowel complaints (e.g., abdominal pain and diarrhoea), and ten skin complaints (e.g., itching) were rated on a scale ranging from “all of the time” to “none of the time”. Mood, including fatigue, tension‐anxiety, depression/dejection, anger/hostility, and active/vigour, was rated on single item 5‐point Likert scales ranging from “not at all” to extremely”.\nResults: N = 327 subjects completed the survey. They reported significant improvements in perceived immune functioning, mood, and health (P < 0.05) after switching to consuming RM, accompanied by a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the presence and severity of gastrointestinal bowel symptoms and skin problems. The effects were seen across all subjects, but were significantly more pronounced in women, and among those who reported depressed immune functioning and/or chronic diseases before switching to RM.\nConclusion: Positive health improvements were reported by subjects after switching to RM products. The effects were most pronounced in women and immune depressed subjects with or without a chronic disease.