The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started collecting and testing 300 samples of raw milk cheese aged at least 60 days for the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), or bird flu. The samples will be collected from warehouses and distribution hubs until March, with possible delays.
This comes amid an ongoing outbreak of bird flu in dairy cows, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Since March 25, 2024, there have been 66 confirmed human cases nationwide, with two-thirds linked to dairy farms. The FDA is working with CDC, US Department of Agriculture, and state partners to investigate.
If any samples test positive for the virus, the FDA will assess each case individually. This may involve recalling contaminated products, conducting inspections, or other measures to protect public health. The agency plans to publish its findings once the investigation is complete.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2025/01/02/the-fda-will-test-aged-raw-milk-cheese-for-bird-flu-in-the-wake-of