Well, the bacteria in kefir keep the milk alive a lot longer and even yogurt lasts at least a month. I just found some yogurt in the back of the frig that's been there months and it finally got mold around the top. It's black mold and very easy to see in milk.
I think we worry too much about bacteria. It's everywhere, and we can't see it, but it does no harm, and the bacteria in kefir is good for us.
Did you watch that mother and daughter on youtube making kefir in "dirty" jars using their hands? Their kefir was/is very healthy.