California health officials have just announced a bird flu contamination warning for some raw milk collected from a raw dairy farm in Fresno County, and hence a voluntary product recall has been activated. The affected product is cream top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm, and it is best before November 27. Currently, there is no illness, but health authorities assume customers should not drink it and return whatever remains to the purchasing store.
According to the California Department of Public Health, the Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus was detected in a single batch of raw milk. To ensure this precautionary measure, the recall was initiated voluntarily, and the CDPH instructed supermarket retailers to take the product from their shelves. The discovery was made while the disease was sweeping through various animals, including dairy cows, poultry, and isolated human cases.
Raw milk recall
Though a recall was issued, health authorities have stated that no one has been reported to show symptoms of the contaminated raw milk. The statement released by CDPH recommends that consumers return any remaining product and avoid consuming the affected raw milk because it further increases the chance of infection due to the nature of being unpasteurized. Raw, as it is called the name, has never been pasteurized; pasteurization is the heating of milk to a high temperature to kill any harmful germs, leaving it exposed and vulnerable to contamination. Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, raw milk consumption will lead to diseases, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and older adults, as well as people with weak immune systems.
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Moreover, as an added layer of consumer protection, California’s public health laboratories, including Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory, will also test raw milk products obtained from different selling points. This testing is part of the wider scope of the state in preventing the transmission of the bird flu virus.
Officials have also revealed that touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands after touching raw milk could be contaminated with bird flu and may lead to infection. Symptoms may include bloodshot eyes, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, headache, fatigue, fever, and difficulty breathing. The CDC included that even though good farming practices can contribute to reduced contamination, they cannot ensure that raw milk is free from harmful pathogens.
Mark McAfee, Raw Farm proprietor, issued the official statement relating to the recall to the Los Angeles Times. He affirmed that the dairy has been doing voluntary testing on its milk since April. So far, all of the tests have been found negative for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has been the cause of the current outbreak. He also enunciated that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has collected supplementary samples from the farm and retail locations, all negative for the virus.
Despite this, the company decided to issue the recall out of an abundance of caution. A spokesperson for Raw Farm explained in a YouTube video that the decision was made to ensure public safety, even though no illnesses had been reported. The spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to doing the right thing and preventing any potential harm to consumers.
The disease outbreak has established implications across America. There have been 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu in California since October, most of which are 28 due to direct contact with sick dairy cows. This scenario is witnessed too in other states when the attacks become rampant during the last months. At the beginning of November, the Hawaiian Department of Agriculture reported the presence of avian influenza in Central Oahu’s backyard flocks, while Arizona registered its first outbreak in a commercial farm in Pinal County.
The ongoing spread of the bird flu highlights the importance of public health measures, including heightened awareness about the risks of raw milk and other foodborne illnesses. Although some individuals may advocate for the consumption of raw milk, health experts continue to warn against its risks, especially in light of recent outbreaks of infectious diseases like bird flu.
