Bird Flu Detected in Raw Milk from California Brand Amid Concerns of Spread in Cattle

This week, two separate batches of raw milk from a well-known California company, Raw Farm, were found to be contaminated with bird flu. The first batch, which was cream top whole raw milk set to expire on November 27, was voluntarily recalled last Sunday. By Wednesday, the California Department of Public Health confirmed that a second batch, expiring on December 7, also tested positive for the virus after retail sampling.

Kaleigh Stanziani, the vice president of marketing for Raw Farm, addressed the situation in a YouTube video, stating that the matter should not be blown out of proportion, as there was only a potential indication of contamination without any reported illness in their cattle. In light of the findings, Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm, disclosed to the LA Times that the California Department of Food and Agriculture had advised the company to pause product deliveries while conducting further testing.

Scientists have suggested that the spread of the H5N1 virus among cattle in the U.S. may be linked to cross-contamination through raw milk, which could present risks for dairy workers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that while there is no confirmed risk of humans contracting bird flu from consuming contaminated raw milk, health authorities strongly recommend against its consumption due to associated food poisoning risks from bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria.

Contrary to some beliefs, there are no discernible health advantages to consuming raw milk, and studies show that pasteurized milk offers equivalent nutritional value while being safer for consumption. Despite the health warnings, raw milk has gained popularity among certain influencers, with personalities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoting its use.

California has permissive policies regarding raw milk sales; however, transporting raw milk products across state lines is prohibited under FDA regulations. Michael Payne, a researcher, cautioned that those purchasing trendy raw milk products are risking their health and disregarding the safety benefits of pasteurization, which is crucial for food safety. Since August, there has been a rise in bird flu cases among dairy farms in California, and recently, a child was reported to have mild symptoms of the virus in Alameda County, potentially linked to exposure to wild birds.