KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The Health Ministry has advised the public against drinking raw milk, such as cow milk and goat milk, which is not boiled or pasteurised as it increases the risk of transmission of diseases, namely bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today said untreated raw milk could contain harmful bacteria such as Mycobacterium bovis and Brucella.

"Drinking raw camel milk without heat treatment is suspected to be the cause of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection in some cases because the milk contains the MERS-CoV viruses. These diseases can be fatal,” he said.

As such, he advised the public who buy raw milk to first put it to boil before drinking it.

The statement was issued following information received by the ministry on certain parties promoting the consumption of untreated raw milk.

Dr Noor Hisham said the sale of raw milk without heat treatment is an offence under regulation 51 (1A), the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, the Food Act 1983, which would come into force this Dec 1.

"Anyone convicted of the offence can be fined not exceeding RM10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years,” he said.

For inquiries on food safety issues, the public can contact the District Health office or State Health Department or through the website at http://moh.spab.gov.my or Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) Facebook page www.facebook.com/bkkmhg. — Bernama