Raw cow's milk blamed after children struck down in Victoria

A three-year-old child has died and four other infants have fallen seriously ill after drinking unpasteurised milk being sold in Victorian health food stores.

The child who died, from the Mornington Peninsula, fell ill during the past month after drinking Mountain View Organic Bath Milk, News Corp reports.

The case has been forwarded to the State Coroner.

Mountain View Farm owner Vicki Jones confirmed health authorities had taken samples of her milk but said it was sold for cosmetic reasons and labelling informed customers that it was for this use only.

Another four children aged between one and four, from Melbourne's southeastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula, have recovered from gastroenteritis after drinking other brands of untreated cow's milk.

Victoria's Health Department is today expected to issue a major health warning about the milk products.

But the department said it is unable to recall the products because they are categorised as "cosmetic" products rather than food, even though the packaging is very similar to regular milk and they are often sold in fridges next to drinks.

"The sale of unpasteurised milk for human consumption is illegal in Victoria. However, all five cases drank unpasteurised milk sold as 'bath' or 'cosmetic' milk," said Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, who is urging the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Consumer Affairs Victoria to address the matter.

"It is part of the movement that (believes) if something is raw and natural it must be good. But … no matter how carefully it is produced, raw milk can contain harmful bacteria and parasites."

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