Pasteurization is the process of heating milk and other dairy products to kill harmful bacteria.

The foodsafety.gov website offers these facts about pasteurization:

• It’s necessary because there could be dangerous germs in raw milk.
• Pasteurization does not affect allergies to dairy products.
• Pasteurized milk is no less nutritious than raw milk.
• Even if pasteurized, milk should never be left unrefrigerated for an extended period.

Source: HealthDay