California Farm Expands Raw Milk Recall After Bird Flu Virus Found in More Samples

THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A California dairy farm has expanded a recall of its raw milk and cream after state health officials discovered bird flu virus in more milk samples.

In a notice posted Tuesday, Fresno-based Raw Farm LLC said it has now recalled all whole milk and cream products with "use by" dates of Nov. 27 to Dec. 13.

Meanwhile, California health officials took additional steps to keep consumers safe, including quarantining the farm.

"While this voluntary recall only applies to raw whole milk and cream, due to multiple bird flu detections in the company's operation, the California Department of Public Health [CDPH] urges consumers to avoid consuming any Raw Farm products for human consumption including raw milk, cream, cheese,and kefir, as well as raw milk pet food topper and pet food kefir marketed to pet owners," the CDPH said in health alert posted Tuesday.

"In addition to the statewide voluntary recall, CDFA [California Department of Agriculture] has placed the farm under quarantine, suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after November 27," the agency added. 

No human bird flu cases linked to the raw milk products have been confirmed at this point, the CDPH noted.

Unlike raw milk, pasteurized milk is heat-treated to kill off any viruses and remains safe to drink.

The latest actions follow recalls of two lots of Raw Farm products after bird flu was first reported in raw milk samples on Nov. 24.

Bird flu, also known as H5N1, first surfaced in U.S. dairy cows in March. Since then, the virus has been spreading across the country, particularly in California, where nearly 500 of the more than 700 infected herds nationwide have been detected, the Associated Press reported.

So far this year, the virus has infected 58 people in the United States, including 31 in California, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mild illnesses have been seen in dairy and poultry workers who had close contact with infected animals. No cases of bird flu spreading between people have been detected so far, the agency added.

In a statement posted to its website, Raw Farm officials said they were working to restore raw milk supply quickly.

“There are no illnesses associated with H5N1 in our products. But rather this is a political issue,” the post stated. “There are no food safety issues with our products or consumer safety. We are working towards resolving this political issue while being cooperative with our government regulatory agencies.”

Robert Kennedy Jr., who has criticized crackdowns on raw milk, has been nominated to run the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has vowed to push for greater distribution of raw milk products.

More information

The CDC has more on bird flu.

SOURCE: California Department of Public Health, news release, Dec. 4, 2024; Associated Press