Bird flu has been detected in a batch of unpasteurized milk (or raw milk) sold in California stores, and the state’s public health department said Sunday that the public should not drink it.
The virus was found during testing of a batch of whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC. The company has issued a voluntary recall for the lot, which has an expiration date of Nov. 27, at the request of the state.
No one has gotten sick or contracted the disease from this batch of raw milk, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported. However, they detailed in a press release: “Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the continued spread of avian flu in dairy cows, poultry and sporadic human cases, consumers No “They should consume none of the affected unpasteurized milk.”
Unlike most milk sold in stores, raw milk has not been pasteurized, a process that includes heating to a high temperature to kill harmful germs and viruses.
Public health officials say consuming raw milk can pose serious health risks, especially for certain vulnerable populations, and it is recommended to consume pasteurized milk or dairy products as the process has “greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses.” ” since the beginning of the 20th century, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria related to the consumption of raw dairy products have been reported,” the CDPH stated.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom President-elect Donald Trump has chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is a fan of raw milk. Last month in X he criticized the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “aggressive suppression” of the beverage. Actress and wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow also said in a podcast earlier this year that she drinks unpasteurized with her coffee every morning from Raw Farm, the same brand that recalled the contaminated products.
The virus was detected during testing by the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory of a raw milk sample purchased at a retail store. These tests have been carried out by the laboratory “as a second consumer protection measure,” according to the statement. The tests were verified by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.
Following the positive test, the California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted testing at both Raw Farm LLC locations, which returned negative results for the virus. The CDFA will conduct bird flu testing at raw milk banks twice a week.
Fresno County-based Raw Farm on Sunday announced the voluntary recall of lot ID No. 20241109. In a brief statement, the company said: “All test results conducted by RAW FARM and all tests CDFA officials (the California state agency that regulates and tests Raw Farm products) have been NEGATIVE. “No illnesses have been reported.”
NBC News, sister network of Noticias Telemundo, has contacted Raw Farm for comment.
The CDPH said drinking or inhaling raw milk with the bird flu virus can cause illness. Additionally, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with the bird flu virus can also lead to infection.
California has reported 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu since early October, primarily stemming from cows, according to the CDPH. Of those cases, 28 had direct contact with infected cows, all cases presented mild symptoms that were mainly eye infections and none required hospitalization.
“No human-to-human transmission of avian flu has been detected in California or the United States,” the press release noted.
