A California farm has expanded a raw milk recall after detecting bird flu virus in more milk samples, prompting health officials to warn consumers not to consume the products. The recall covers all products produced by Raw Farm between Nov 9 and Nov 27, and includes whole milk, cream, kefir, butter, and cheese.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has quarantined the farm and suspended distribution of raw milk products, citing the risk of bird flu virus transmission to consumers. No known cases of bird flu virus have been confirmed in people who drank raw milk, but health officials stress that pasteurized milk remains safe due to its heat treatment.
The recall follows previous notices for two lots of Raw Farm products after bird flu was first detected on Nov 21. Health officials also advise pet owners not to feed Raw Farm products to their animals, as the virus can cause brain damage and death in cats.
Bird flu virus has been spreading rapidly across California, infecting nearly 500 of the state’s over 700 infected U.S. herds. In the US, 57 people have contracted bird flu this year, including 31 in California, with mild illnesses reported among dairy and poultry workers.
Health officials have long warned against drinking raw milk due to its potential for germ transmission. Raw Farm’s owner, Mark McAfee, has called for reduced regulation of raw milk, citing the absence of illnesses associated with H5N1. However, health regulators disagree, highlighting the need for caution.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-raw-milk-raw-farm-recall-5893b7b823efcaf4389b77fc01fb0c56