A California dairy farm favored by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing a recall of its raw milk products due to safety concerns, just as its CEO is poised to join the Trump management.
Mark McAfee, CEO of Raw Farm, says he was asked by Kennedy’s running mate, nicole Shanahan, to apply for a position at the Food and Drug Administration as a “raw milk adviser.”
The California Department of public Health issued a voluntary recall of Raw Farm products this week after several batches tested positive for H5N1, the avian influenza virus. With the virus spreading rapidly among California’s dairy herds, McAfee stated that it was his farm’s turn to experience positive tests. He anticipates it will take approximately two months for the virus to run its course through his herd, allowing them to develop immunity. Until then, he is focused on maintaining the health of his cows and collaborating with an uninfected farm 300 miles north to ensure a continued supply of raw milk, cream, kefir, butter, and cheese.
McAfee believes that state agencies are facing pressure from federal bureaucrats,notably the FDA,who are using the avian flu outbreak as a pretext to take action against raw milk.”What they don’t want is for raw milk to thrive, and that’s a political decision they made years ago,” McAfee said. “It’s a new angle to try and discourage us.”
Ali Bay, deputy director of Communications for the California Department of public Health, stated that the state is working “aggressively” to contain the spread of bird flu in both humans and animals. “Our public health messages have always included concern about the risks of bird flu transmission from consuming raw milk and raw dairy products,” Bay said in a statement. “Milk from infected cows splashing into the eyes of workers on farms has led to more than 30 human cases in California, indicating that raw milk is infectious to humans.”
The FDA is currently involved in an “enforcement action” with Raw Farm in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California and declined to comment, citing agency policy.
This incident comes just weeks before confirmation hearings for Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and human Services in Washington, which is already embroiled in heated debates over other controversial appointments.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, is facing scrutiny over his unconventional views on health, particularly his advocacy for raw milk consumption.
While Kennedy is expected to be confirmed, his stance on raw milk, a practice the FDA strongly advises against, has raised concerns among lawmakers. Kennedy, a vocal proponent of raw milk’s purported health benefits, even made a campaign stop at Raw Farm USA, a Fresno-based dairy known for its unpasteurized products, during his presidential run. He has pledged to end what he calls the “aggressive suppression” of raw milk as part of his ”Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
kennedy’s support for raw milk comes at a precarious time, coinciding with a nationwide avian flu outbreak affecting both poultry and dairy herds.In California alone, over 475 dairies have reported positive cases, along with 31 human infections, primarily among dairy workers exposed to raw milk. A child near San Francisco has also contracted the virus. Just this week, California confirmed one new human case and another probable case.
raw milk proponents argue that pasteurization, the process of heating milk to kill bacteria and viruses, diminishes its nutritional value. Though, this claim lacks scientific backing. Despite the lack of evidence, raw milk has become a symbol of anti-establishment sentiment in recent years, attracting high-profile supporters like actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Dr. McAfee, a prominent figure in the raw milk movement, revealed that he was approached by Kennedy’s transition team for a potential role within the FDA. while nothing is official,McAfee claims to be on the shortlist for a position that would oversee raw milk regulations.
McAfee has outlined a three-pronged plan for regulating raw milk at the federal level: establishing uniform safety standards, providing comprehensive training for farmers on handling and production, and ensuring access to testing on every farm.
“You would have
The recent detection of avian influenza in a herd of dairy cows in Indiana has reignited the debate surrounding the safety of raw milk consumption. While no human cases have been linked to drinking raw milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus, experts warn of potential health risks.
The discovery, made on a farm owned by Indiana dairy farmer Mike McAfee, has raised concerns about the potential for the virus to spread through the food chain. McAfee, a staunch advocate for raw milk, maintains that his cows showed no flu-like symptoms prior to testing positive. “We’re seeing a renaissance of farmer vigor in this country like you’ve never seen before,” he said.
Despite McAfee’s assurances, experts caution against complacency.Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health, emphasizes the lack of research on the effects of consuming H5N1-infected raw milk in humans.”It is indeed not known what consuming raw milk that is infected with H5N1 will do in humans,” she stated. “But studies have shown deleterious effects in animals,some of which developed ‘really hideous symptoms’ like neurologic conditions.”
Keith Poulsen, director of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, highlights the broader public health risks associated with raw milk consumption. “The bad news is that for raw milk drinkers, … you still have a higher risk of things like listeria, Campylobacter, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, things like that,” Poulsen said. “That’s still a bigger risk.”
Dr.Meghan Davis, associate professor and veterinarian at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, echoes these concerns.“We are really confident that this is a bad virus,” she said. “It can cause disease in humans, and there’s no reason to think that it wouldn’t be a high risk for [raw milk] consumers.” Davis points out that the CDC considers raw milk drinkers and those who handle related products at higher risk of infection, similar to farmworkers.
The recent surge in raw milk consumption, partly fueled by the advocacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has further intensified the debate. Kennedy, a vocal proponent of raw milk, has been nominated to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pete Kennedy, a consultant with the Weston A. Price Foundation, a group that supports expanded raw milk access, believes Kennedy’s potential appointment could lead to a shift in FDA policy regarding raw milk.
“Raw milk demand in the country has never been greater and this bird flu has been around now for eight or nine months,” Pete Kennedy said, referencing several state laws passed this year that have expanded access to raw milk.“And there’s never been any evidence sence the start of it, that anyone has gotten sick from drinking raw milk infected with bird flu.”
Though,Nuzzo expresses concern over Kennedy’s advocacy. “He’s been a proponent of raw milk, and there are no credible studies demonstrating the health benefits of raw milk,” she said.
the debate over raw milk safety is highly likely to continue as the avian influenza outbreak persists and the potential impact on public health remains unclear.
A prominent food safety expert has publicly criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance on raw milk, calling his claims “misleading” and lacking scientific backing. Dr. Marion Nestle, a professor of food studies at New York University, took issue with Kennedy’s recent statements promoting the consumption of raw, unpasteurized milk.
“He’s been saying things about raw milk that are just not true,” Nestle stated. “There’s a lot of evidence that raw milk can be risky, and he’s ignoring that evidence.”
kennedy, a vocal critic of vaccine safety, has emerged as a leading figure in the raw milk movement, advocating for its purported health benefits. However, Nestle, a respected authority on food safety and nutrition, strongly disagrees with his position.
“He’s comparing raw milk to pasteurized milk, saying it’s more natural,” Nestle explained. “But that’s a false dichotomy. Pasteurization is a process that kills harmful bacteria, and it doesn’t change the nutritional value of milk.”
Nestle further emphasized the potential health risks associated with consuming raw milk. “There have been numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness linked to raw milk,” she said. “It can contain dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which can cause serious illness, especially in children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.”
“He’s saying things about raw milk that are just not true,” Nestle stated. ”There’s a lot of evidence that raw milk can be dangerous, and he’s ignoring that evidence.”
Dr. Caroline Smith dewaal, food safety director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, echoed Nestle’s concerns. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s promotion of raw milk is deeply troubling,” DeWaal said.”His claims are not supported by science and put public health at risk.”
DeWaal highlighted the lack of scientific evidence to support Kennedy’s assertions about the health benefits of raw milk. “There is no credible scientific evidence to suggest that raw milk is healthier than pasteurized milk,” she emphasized. “In fact, the opposite is true. Pasteurization is a proven method for eliminating harmful bacteria and protecting public health.”
The debate surrounding raw milk consumption continues to be a contentious issue,with proponents touting its purported benefits and critics emphasizing the potential health risks. Though, leading food safety experts like Nestle and DeWaal remain steadfast in their warnings against consuming raw milk, urging the public to rely on pasteurized milk for safe and healthy consumption.
David Lim contributed to this report.
This text presents a complex and multifaceted debate surrounding raw milk consumption, fueled by the recent avian flu outbreak and the impending nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the department of Health and Human Services. Here’s a breakdown of the key arguments and perspectives:
**Arguments Against Raw milk:**
* **Health Risks:** Experts emphasize the potential dangers of consuming raw milk, including exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses like Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and possibly H5N1 avian influenza.
* **Lack of Scientific Evidence:** Proponents of raw milk frequently enough cite purported health benefits, but these claims lack credible scientific support.
* **Public Health Concerns:** The potential for raw milk to contribute to the spread of diseases, especially during outbreaks like avian influenza, poses a risk to public health.
**Arguments For raw milk:**
* **Nutritional Value:** Some argue that pasteurization diminishes the nutritional value of milk, although this claim is not scientifically substantiated.
* **Consumer Choice:** Advocates argue that individuals should have the freedom to choose whether or not to consume raw milk.
* **Support from High-Profile Figures:** Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s advocacy for raw milk has given the movement visibility and legitimacy among certain groups.
**Points of Contention:**
* **Avian Influenza Risk:** The discovery of avian influenza in a dairy herd has intensified concerns about the safety of raw milk,but there is limited data on the specific risks of consuming H5N1-contaminated raw milk.
* **regulation:** The lack of consistent federal regulations for raw milk production and distribution creates challenges for ensuring safety.
* **Kennedy’s Nomination:** Kennedy’s support for raw milk and his potential influence on FDA policy has triggered controversy and raised concerns among public health officials.
**Key Individuals:**
* **mike McAfee:** Indiana dairy farmer and raw milk advocate.
* **Robert F.Kennedy Jr.:** President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and human Services Secretary and a vocal supporter of raw milk.
* **Jennifer Nuzzo:** Director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University school of Public Health, expressed concern about Kennedy’s positions and the lack of evidence supporting raw milk benefits.
* **Dr.Meghan Davis:** Associate professor and veterinarian at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlighted the risks associated with consuming raw milk, especially during avian flu outbreaks.
**the debate surrounding raw milk consumption is a complex one with strong opinions on both sides. This text highlights the key arguments, scientific concerns, and political implications involved in this ongoing discussion.**
