Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ
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HEALTH

The Claim

Pasteurization removes vitamins from milk.

The Short Version

Pasteurization does cause small, measurable reductions in certain heat-sensitive vitamins — notably B1, B2, C, and folate — but the word "removes" significantly overstates what happens. Peer-reviewed systematic reviews and government assessments consistently describe the overall nutritional impact as minimal, with most vitamins well-retained. Fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients are largely unaffected. Commercial milk is also often fortified with vitamin D, offsetting any processing losses. The claim contains a grain of truth but paints a misleading picture of substantial vitamin loss.

Caveats

  • The word 'removes' implies large-scale or complete elimination of vitamins, but the scientific evidence describes only minor reductions in select heat-sensitive vitamins — an equivocation that exaggerates the actual effect.
  • The claim generalizes across all vitamins, but only a few heat-sensitive ones (B1, B2, C, folate) show measurable decreases; fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and most B vitamins are largely unaffected.
  • Effects vary significantly by pasteurization method (HTST vs. Holder vs. ultra-high temperature) and milk type (cow's milk vs. donor breast milk), so blanket statements are unreliable — and commercial fortification often offsets any losses.

The Receipts

  1. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of ... - PubMed

    PubMed

  2. The Impact of Holder Pasteurization on Macronutrients, Vitamins ...

    PMC (PubMed Central)

  3. EFFECT OF PASTEURISATION ON THE CONCENTRATIONS OF VITAMIN D COMPOUNDS IN DONOR BREAST MILK - PubMed

    PubMed

  4. An Assessment of the Effects of Pasteurisation on Claimed Nutrition and Health Benefits of Raw Milk - Ministry for Primary Industries

    Ministry for Primary Industries

  5. Effects of pasteurization on the nutritional value of milk

    Dairy Farmers of Canada

  6. The Effect of Different Heat Treatment on the Nutritional Value of Milk and Milk Products and Shelf-Life of Milk Products. A Review - Juniper Publishers

    Juniper Publishers

  7. Raw Milk: Hype vs Reality - UVA Health

    UVA Health

  8. Drinking Raw Milk: Benefits and Dangers - Healthline

    Healthline

  9. The Effects of Heat Treatment on Milk - News-Medical

    News-Medical

  10. Everything You Need to Know About Pasteurization - Dairy MAX

    Dairy MAX

+ 3 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

milkPasteurization

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