November 28, 2024

 

California, US raw milk farm recalls product amid bird flu detection

A California, US-based raw milk producer has initiated a recall after state health officials detected bird flu in retail samples of its product.

 

The California Department of Public Health has urged consumers to avoid a specific batch of cream-top, whole raw milk produced by Raw Farm, LLC. Although no illnesses have been reported, retailers have been directed to remove the affected batch from their shelves as a precautionary measure.

 

State health officials issued a statement warning of the risks associated with raw milk consumption. "Raw milk products are not pasteurised, a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as bird flu," they explained. The recall comes in the wake of the continued spread of bird flu among dairy cows, poultry, and occasional human cases.

 

Testing at Raw Farm's Fresno facilities did not detect the virus following the recall announcement. Kaleigh Stanziani, vice president of marketing at Raw Farm, addressed customers via social media, minimising the issue. "We are not making a big deal out of this," she said. "None of our supply has halted, changed, or been paused. Everything is good to go, just as normal."

 

In response to the incident, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has announced an increase in testing frequency for raw milk bulk tanks, from weekly to twice weekly. The recall coincides with a confirmed bird flu case in a child in California's Bay Area, marking the latest in the state's 29 reported human cases of bird flu this year.

 

Nationally, 55 human cases of bird flu have been reported since the virus began affecting dairy cows earlier this year. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reaffirmed the safety of pasteurised milk, while emphasising that it remains unclear if raw milk consumption can transmit bird flu. However, unpublished studies on mice suggest potential risks.

 

In 2023, Raw Farm was linked to a salmonella outbreak that affected more than 165 people, many of whom were children. Despite the risks, around 4.4% of U.S. adults reported consuming raw milk at least once in the past year, and the practice has gained support from figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

 

As bird flu continues to spread, federal health officials are focusing on protecting farmworkers who have contact with infected animals. The US Department of Agriculture has increased regional bulk milk testing and plans further measures if the virus is detected.

 

The USDA is urging farms to implement strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of bird flu. "Biosecurity is the best weapon against the spread of H5N1," the department stated. The virus can be transmitted through equipment, personnel, and other materials that move between farms.

 

-      Agriculture Dive