Pasteurization of dairy products inactivates COVID-19, so there is no danger than consumers can contract the disease while consuming dairy products, says Jamie Jonker, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) vice president of Sustainability and Scientific Affairs.
“All pasteurized dairy products, whether it is milk in the jug, cheese in the cheese case, butter or ice cream, are safe to eat,” says Jonker. “But for health reasons unrelated to COVID-19 virus, a person should never drink raw milk.”
Jonker explains that the Food and Drug Administration has confirmed the pasteurization process, whether it is at high temperature for a short time or a slightly lower temperature for a longer period, inactivates the COVID-19 virus.