Concerned that a drink containing infected raw milk could cause the H5N1 bird flu virus to spread to humans, state health officials have ordered it All raw milk and cream from a Fresno-based dairy farm might be faraway from store shelves.
Consumers should return purchased milk to the shop where it was purchased, they add.
“Californians are strongly advised not to consume any raw milk or cream products in their possession or still on store shelves,” the California Department of Public Health said in a press release released Monday evening. Pasteurized milk, which kills the virus and other pathogens, stays drinkable.
Dairy products from Raw farm, The state's top raw milk producer has tested positive for bird flu in recent days, each in retail and dairy storage and bottling operations, officials said.
This is a broader recall than announced last week after contaminated Raw Farm products from two specific batches were discovered at retail stores in Santa Clara Countyf milk. The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health said it was unable to authorize the discharge of the names of the stores.
As the disease investigation continues, Raw Farm is cooperating fully with CDPH and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
But Raw Food CEO Mark McAfee — who said he was asked to use for an advisory position on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the brand new Trump administration — called the recall and quarantine “a political issue “. There are no food safety issues with our products.” he wrote on the corporate's website.
“We are working to resolve this policy issue while engaging with our state regulators,” he wrote. “Our family business has had to face many political challenges and we are resilient.”
No one has contracted bird flu after drinking raw milk products from this dairy.
However, it is understood that contact with infected raw milk could cause illness. As the virus has swept through the state's dairy industry, infecting 493 of the state's 1,100 operators, an estimated 30 California dairy farmers have fallen unwell.
“Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk that contains avian influenza viruses can lead to illness,” in keeping with CDPH. “In addition, touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after contact with raw milk containing the avian influenza virus can also lead to infection.”
Research published within the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the virus can persist contagious in raw milk for at the least several weeks if kept refrigerated at 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cats consuming infected raw milk Infected and dead animals have died in farm “bulk tanks,” in keeping with a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Subsequent autopsies revealed a severe systemic viral infection in these animals, affecting organs similar to the brain and eyes Michael Payne of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis.
The virus spreads through aerosol particles and contaminated milking equipment. While most affected animals get better with supportive treatment, an estimated 10 to fifteen% of cows die. said Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies. Many never return to their previous productivity.
The virus currently only attacks the cells of animals. But it's only one or two mutations away from attacking people's cells, virologists say. As it spreads, the likelihood that a mutation will arise increases.
The virus appears to attack a cow's udder cells. This could explain why younger cows and cattle weren’t affected.
Following the CDPH investigation, Raw Farm is under quarantine for greater than two months, meaning it will not be permitted to remove cattle from the property or sell any brand of raw milk products.
McAfee is allowed to sell milk from its 1,800-cow dairy to a processor that pasteurizes it and uses it in various products, including milk or cheese.
According to CDFA rules, milk testing begins again when there aren’t any more sick cows inside 60 days. Before the milk might be released, the dairy must test negative in three tests, with seven days between tests.
Raw milk is taken into account so unsafe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration bans interstate sales.
But individual states still control raw milk sales inside their borders – and California is certainly one of twelve states that allow purchasing in retail stores.
Raw Farm has been linked to a wide range of other outbreaks of pathogens that don’t have anything to do with the bird flu virus, including the bacteria Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter. According to a recently filed lawsuit by a Seattle-based attorney Bill MarlerVictims of a salmonella outbreak between September 2023 and March 2024 include at the least six Alameda County residents, five Contra Costa County residents and five Santa Clara County residents.
Instead of banning raw milk, California is counting on promoting restrictions and warning labels to tell consumers about risks.
If the state or federal government finds that a food company is egregious in its safety or sanitation practices, it might be forced to suspend operations until it implements programs that exhibit compliance, in keeping with UC Davis' Payne.
Originally published:
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