Rethinking Milk: What a Rabies Case Reveals About Our Food Choices

A recent tragic case has raised alarming questions about food safety and long-standing dietary habits. A woman in India reportedly died after contracting rabies from drinking raw milk, possibly contaminated by an infected cow. The incident has sparked concern over how diseases can be transmitted through dairy products—yet, the bigger question remains: why have we normalized drinking another species’ milk in the first place?

Milk has long been marketed as a pillar of health, but the reality is far more complex. The dairy industry often disregards the conditions in which cows are kept, increasing the risk of infections like rabies, tuberculosis, and brucellosis. Despite these dangers, milk consumption continues unquestioned, deeply ingrained in cultural traditions. However, humans are the only species that drinks another species' milk beyond infancy—something worth re-evaluating, especially when safer plant-based alternatives exist.

The risk of disease transmission is just one part of the problem. The dairy industry also subjects cows to unethical practices, from forced impregnation to separating calves from their mothers at birth. If the idea of consuming milk from a sick cow sounds unsettling, so should the reality of how dairy is produced. The alternative? Opting for cruelty-free, plant-based options that not only eliminate these risks but also align with a more compassionate way of living.

At Vyakti India, we believe that ethical choices extend beyond fashion. Just as we reject animal leather in favor of sustainable materials, the same logic applies to our food. If we can choose a kinder, safer option, why shouldn’t we? The unfortunate rabies case should not just serve as a health warning but as a wake-up call to reconsider the food we’ve normalized without question. Perhaps it’s time we rethink what truly nourishes us—not just for our health, but for the well-being of all beings.