The present invention relates to a method of improving the safety, the quality and the durability of foodstuffs and raw materials which are used in the production of foodstuffs, and to a foodstuff or a foodstuff raw material. A foodstuff or a foodstuff raw material is treated with pure nitrogen gas in order to prevent the growth of microbes in the foodstuff or the foodstuff raw material. The nitrogen gas method according to the present invention makes it possible to eliminate efficiently the bacteria which produce large quantities of phospholipase from the foodstuff or the foodstuff raw material. The nitrogen gas method is especially suitable for the treatment of milk products, particularly raw milk.
