Why is it okay to eat food products from old rotten milk e.g. sour cream and cheese, but you can’t eat milk itself that’s gone bad?

Question

Why is it okay to eat food products from old rotten milk e.g. sour cream and cheese, but you can’t eat milk itself that’s gone bad?

In: Biology

Answer 1

I am taking a course on cheese making!

When most dairy products are made we pasteurize the milk killing most of the bacteria “good” and “bad”. We the. Add back in single or groups of bacteria and enzymes that are safe and desirable for whatever food we are making. Then by adjusting the temperature, pH level, salt, moisture, and time we can control the growth and decline of the bacteria preventing undesirable or harmful bacteria from growth and promoting the bacteria we desire.

I also want to point out that bacteria not found in the milk can be introduced into the food at almost any step (if not handled safely) and potentially cause issues with the end product. These issues usually are simply a change in flavor, texture, or, in some cases, harmful to one’s health.