Bird flu found in California raw milk, recall and health alert issued

[Trendvoyager]

Images: California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a public health warning following the detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus in raw milk produced by Raw Farm, LLC, a dairy located in Fresno County. This discovery has prompted a voluntary recall of the affected batch to safeguard consumers.

The contaminated product, identified as cream-top, whole raw milk, bears the lot code #20241109 with a "best by" date of November 27, 2024. It was sold in quart and half-gallon sizes and produced on November 9, 2024. Routine testing conducted by the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory uncovered the presence of the virus, which was later confirmed by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.

 

Images: California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

 

Though no illnesses have been linked to the affected milk, the CDPH urges consumers to avoid consuming it and to return any remaining products to the place of purchase for a full refund. Retailers have been directed to remove the batch from their shelves.

The CDPH has reassured the public that pasteurized milk remains completely safe to drink, as the pasteurization process effectively eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses, including bird flu. In contrast, raw milk, which is not pasteurized, poses a higher risk of carrying dangerous pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter.

This incident underscores the long-standing public health concerns surrounding raw milk consumption. Experts have consistently warned about its potential to transmit foodborne illnesses, and the presence of bird flu, in this case, adds another layer of risk.

The CDPH, in collaboration with Raw Farm, LLC, is actively investigating the issue to prevent further contamination. As part of heightened safety measures, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will continue testing raw milk banks twice weekly.

This incident underscores why public health experts caution against raw milk consumption, recommending pasteurized milk as a safer choice, especially for vulnerable groups like the immunocompromised, pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.

 

• https://abcnews.go.com/US/bird-flu-found-sample-california-raw-milk-officials/story?id=116185808
• https://nypost.com/2024/11/24/us-news/bird-flu-virus-detected-in-raw-milk-from-dairy-farm-based-in-fresno-calif/
• https://kmph.com/news/local/bird-flu-detected-in-batch-of-raw-milk-from-fresno-county
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Images: California Department of Public Health (CDPH)