A batch of raw milk sold in California retailers has been found to have bird flu, and the state’s public health department warned the public on Sunday not to drink it.
When a batch of cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC was tested, the virus was discovered. At the state’s request, the company has voluntarily recalled the batch, which has a Best By date of November 27.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that no one has been ill or contracted the disease from this lot of raw milk. However, a news release stated: “Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk.”
Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which involves heating it to a high temperature in order to destroy dangerous bacteria and viruses, in contrast to the majority of milk that is sold in stores.
It is advised to consume pasteurized milk or dairy products since the process has significantly decreased milk-borne illnesses since the early 1900s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health officials warn that consuming raw milk can pose serious health risks, particularly for certain vulnerable populations.
According to the CDPH, eating raw dairy products has been linked to outbreaks of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and numerous other bacteria.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and he enjoys raw milk. The Food and Drug Administration’s vigorous repression of it was condemned by OnXhe last month. Earlier this year, Gwyneth Paltrow, an actress and wellness expert, stated in a podcast that she always has raw cream in her coffee from Raw Farm, the company that is responsible for the recall.
The virus was found after the County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory tested a single raw milk sample that was bought from a retail establishment. According to the announcement, the lab conducted these tests as a second line of defense for consumers. The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System then confirmed the results of the tests.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture tested Raw Farm LLC’s two facilities after the positive test, but the results showed no virus. Twice a week, the CDFA will conduct avian flu tests at raw milk banks.
Fresno County-based Raw Farm declared on Sunday that lot ID #20241109 would be voluntarily recalled. “All test results conducted by RAW FARM and all official tests conducted by CDFA (the California State agency that regulates and tests Raw Farm products) have been NEGATIVE,” the company stated in a brief statement. No illnesses have been recorded.
Raw Farm has been contacted by NBC News for comment.
According to the CDPH, consuming or breathing in raw milk contaminated with the avian flu virus can cause sickness. Infection can also result from touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unclean hands after handling raw milk contaminated with bird flu.
It comes as CDPH reports that since early October, 29 confirmed human cases of avian flu have been detected in California, mostly from cows. None of the instances necessitated hospitalization, all had mild symptoms, mostly eye infections, and 28 had direct contact with sick cows.
The news release stated, “No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California or the U.S.”
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