WASHINGTON D.C.—In the aftermath of the Washington state E.coli outbreak, FDA issued an advisory warning the public against drinking raw milk.

“Raw milk is not treated or pasteurized to remove disease-causing bacteria.” the advisory read. “The risk of drinking raw milk was most recently demonstrated in Washington State by an outbreak associated with raw milk (E. coli). Health authorities have identified locally sold raw milk as a source of the outbreak, and have ordered the unlicensed dairy to shut down.”

The press release went on to say that more than 300 people in the United States became ill by drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk in 2001, and nearly 200 became ill from these products in 2002.