California is facing a new health risk after traces of bird flu were detected in raw milk. The virus was found during routine testing of cream-top, whole raw milk from Raw Farm LLC. As a result, the company recalled the affected batch, which had a “best by” date of November 27, following a request from state authorities.
The discovery has raised concerns among health officials. Bird flu has been spreading unusually among dairy cows in the U.S. this year. The outbreak, caused by Highly (HPAI), was first reported in March. The virus is also increasingly infecting mammals, which worries experts about its potential to spread across species.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported that no illnesses have been linked to the affected raw milk. Still, out of caution, consumers are advised not to drink any of it. CDPH urges customers to return the product to the store and has instructed retailers to remove it from shelves.
To protect consumers, the County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory tested raw milk from retail stores. One sample purchased from a store tested positive for bird flu. The results were then confirmed by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.
Health experts have long warned against consuming raw milk. Raw milk can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Since raw milk is not pasteurized, it can carry viruses like bird flu. Pasteurization kills these pathogens, making pasteurized milk safe to drink.
