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California health officials caveat Don’t drink any more of its raw milk after a Fresno-based raw farm tested positive for the avian influenza virus. The state said further testing of raw produce is underway.
“As the state continues to investigate the link between avian influenza detected in retail raw milk and the spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle, poultry, and sporadic human infections, consumers should “We strongly urge you not to consume any of these,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement Wednesday.
“Customers should immediately return any remaining products to the store of purchase.”
At the state’s request, Law Farm has implemented a voluntary recall of the affected milk lot code number 20241119 with a best before date of December 7, 2024. Earlier this week, Law Farms recalled raw milk in quart and half-gallon sizes with Lot ID 20241109 and a best-before date of November 27th.
No cases of human avian influenza associated with milk have been reported.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory identified the virus while testing raw milk products at a retail store in the county, a week after the virus was found in another batch of raw milk at a raw farm.
Pasteurized milk goes through a heating process that kills harmful bacteria. Because raw milk is not pasteurized, it can carry disease-causing pathogens such as Listeria, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli. Public health officials have long warned against drinking raw milk due to the risk of disease. Past outbreaks associated with consumption of raw milk and raw milk products have resulted in miscarriages, stillbirths, kidney failure, and death. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no scientific evidence that raw milk is effective against illness or allergies, and it is not allowed for interstate sale.
CNN has reached out to Raw Farm for comment on the new recall. On November 24th news releaseRaw Farm states that their products are “rigorously tested for quality” and that “the results of all official inspections conducted by RAW FARM and by the CDFA (California state agency that regulates and inspects Raw Farm products) was negative,” he said.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, known as the CDFA, announced in a news release Wednesday that the California Department of Food and Agriculture, known as the CDFA, was distributing bulk tank milk and bottled products from raw farms to stores on Wednesday after avian influenza was detected in two lots. announced that additional samples had been collected. “Results of additional testing are pending,” the release states.
There’s been renewed interest in raw milk this year as avian influenza spreads among poultry and cattle in the United States. It also has prominent supporters, including President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who says he also loves it.
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In June, the FDA asked states to warn the public more strongly It calls out the dangers of raw milk and calls for regulators to be used to halt the sale of raw milk in areas where dairy cows have tested positive for H5N1.
Avian influenza has continued to spread to wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle since spring. Although there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, scientists are concerned that the virus could mutate and spread more easily between people.
Dr. David Kessler, former FDA commissioner and director of Operation Warp Speed, wrote this week: New York Times opinion piece It called for mass testing of milk in states with dairy farms “to identify the full extent of the infection on dairy farms so that we can contain the virus.”
“Without mandatory testing, avian influenza will continue to circulate on farms across the country, greatly increasing the risk that the virus will mutate and evolve, causing human-to-human transmission that is difficult to stop.” Kessler wrote.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In 2024, 55 cases of bird flu were recorded, including 29 in California. Most are associated with farmworkers who have come into contact with sick animals. Last week, the CDC announced the first confirmed case of bird flu in the United States in a child in California. An investigation is underway into how the child was exposed.
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans include typical flu-like symptoms such as red eyes, sore throat, runny nose, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, and fever. The California Department of Health Services said anyone who has consumed raw dairy products and notices symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department.
CNN’s Jamie Gumbrecht contributed to this report.
