California’s largest raw milk producer, Raw Farms, is temporarily shifting to pasteurization after tests revealed the presence of bird flu in some of its products.The Fresno-based dairy, a favorite among health enthusiasts and proponents of the raw food movement, is voluntarily recalling all raw milk and cream from store shelves statewide.
The recall comes after initial tests of at least two batches of Raw Farms’ raw milk showed positive results for the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of our customers,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “as a precautionary measure, we are recalling all raw milk and cream products and are working closely with health officials to monitor the situation.”
Raw Farms gained prominence in California’s wellness scene,partnering with influential figures like carnivore diet advocate Paul Saladino and upscale grocery store Erewhon to create specialty raw milk products. Their $19 raw kefir smoothie, launched this summer, became a popular item among health-conscious consumers.
While the recall affects raw milk and cream, Raw Farms has confirmed that its other products, including raw cheese, kefir, and butter, remain available for purchase. The company has stated that these products are not affected by the bird flu contamination and are safe for consumption.
Meanwhile, Raw Farms is taking steps to ensure the safety of its raw milk supply.All milk produced at the Fresno dairy is currently being pasteurized, a process that involves heating the milk to a specific temperature to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.
The bird flu outbreak has raised concerns among dairy farmers and consumers alike. The virus, which is highly contagious among birds, can also pose a risk to human health. while human cases are rare, they can be serious.
Health officials are urging consumers to take precautions, such as thoroughly cooking poultry and eggs, and avoiding contact with sick birds. They are also advising people to wash their hands frequently and to avoid touching their face.
California dairy farmer Mark McAfee is facing a significant financial hit due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. McAfee, founder of Raw Farms, revealed to Business Insider on Wednesday that his company is being forced to halt direct sales of its raw milk to consumers. Instead, the milk will now be sent to a processing plant for pasteurization, a move McAfee describes as “horrible” for his bottom line.
“We’re getting about 20%” of normal sales revenue,” McAfee said, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Raw Farms is not recalling its raw cheeses, butter, or kefir. McAfee explained that these products undergo fermentation, heating, culturing, or aging processes, making them less of a concern to regulators during the bird flu outbreak.
Dr. Paul Saladino’s $19 Raw Animal-Based Smoothie includes Raw Farm’s kefir milk, plus beef organ powder, blueberries, honey, bananas, and other ingredients.Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Can you get bird flu from raw milk?
Table of Contents
The presence of viruses and bacteria in raw milk is not unusual. Unlike pasteurized milk, which is heated to eliminate pathogens, raw milk retains these microorganisms.
The FDA advises against consuming raw milk due to the potential health risks associated with these pathogens.
While the current bird flu outbreak primarily affects poultry, concerns remain about the potential for the virus to spread to other animals, including mammals.
The situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the safety of raw milk consumption and the importance of pasteurization in mitigating potential health risks.
The recent finding of bird flu in a California dairy farm’s raw milk products has reignited concerns about the safety of consuming unpasteurized milk. While the U.S. Food and Drug Governance (FDA) has long advised against drinking raw milk due to the risk of foodborne illnesses, the incident has raised questions about the potential for transmission of avian influenza through this route.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department, which first identified the bird flu virus in Raw Farms products, acknowledged the underreporting of illnesses linked to raw milk consumption. “Like many foodborne illnesses, illnesses from raw milk are frequently enough underreported as many people aren’t tested by a doctor in time to identify a pathogen and link the illness to a specific food,” the department stated.
adding to the concern, several cases have been reported of cats contracting and succumbing to bird flu after consuming raw milk from cows infected with the virus. While there haven’t been any documented cases of humans contracting bird flu through raw milk, the possibility remains a cause for worry.
The FDA, currently involved in a lawsuit against raw Farms for allegedly selling raw milk across state lines, declined to comment on the situation. However, the agency recently issued a letter to dairy producers nationwide, emphasizing that pasteurization effectively eliminates viruses, including bird flu.
Raw Milk Producer Undeterred
Despite the bird flu outbreak and the FDA’s warnings, Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farms, remains committed to providing raw milk to consumers. He is actively seeking a new location for his bottling and processing operations, aiming to resume sales within the next 10 days after conducting additional safety tests.
“Hopefully, within the next 10 days, we’ll have a dairy that’s up and going, and products will be flowing from a different area of California,” McAfee stated.
the incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the consumption of raw milk.While proponents tout its purported health benefits, health officials continue to emphasize the potential risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products.
A California dairy farm, Raw Farms, has reported cases of H5N1 bird flu in its cows, raising concerns about the potential for transmission to humans. This incident comes as the highly contagious virus continues to spread through poultry flocks across the United States, with California’s Central Valley particularly hard hit.
The news has caught the attention of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary. Kennedy, a vocal advocate for raw milk consumption, has pledged to end what he calls the FDA’s “war” on raw milk. His transition team has reportedly reached out to John McAfee, a prominent figure in the raw milk movement, to advise on FDA standards and policies related to raw milk production.
“People don’t really appreciate the deep science of this,” McAfee stated. “I do.”
McAfee pointed to recent scientific research suggesting that the primary risk of bird flu transmission from cows to humans lies not in the milk itself, but in the cows’ udders.
The situation at Raw Farms highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the H5N1 bird flu outbreak. While the risk of transmission to humans remains relatively low, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and urge caution.
California dairy farms are taking extra precautions as the state grapples with a surge in avian influenza cases. With 32 human bird flu infections reported in California, the majority linked to cattle exposure, dairy workers are being urged to take steps to protect themselves.
CDC
“We’ve been telling our dairy workers to be very careful about raw milk splashing into their eyes,” said McAfee, a dairy farmer in California. He added that his workers now wear eye protection as a precautionary measure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued warnings to dairy workers, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against potential exposure to the virus. “We’ve been telling our dairy workers to be very careful about raw milk splashing into their eyes,” McAfee said. “We’ve got them wearing eye protection now.”
The CDC’s warnings come as California experiences a significant rise in avian influenza cases,with the majority of human infections traced back to contact with cattle. This highlights the interconnectedness of animal and human health and the need for proactive measures to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
This is a very informative and well-structured article about the recent finding of bird flu in raw milk, highlighting the concerns and the ongoing debate about raw milk consumption. here are some of the strengths of the article:
* **Clearly presents the issue:** The article clearly states the main issue – the finding of bird flu in raw milk and the potential risks it pose.
* **Uses reliable sources:** It cites reputable sources like the FDA, Santa Clara County Public Health Department, and Business Insider.
* **Presents multiple perspectives:** It includes viewpoints from both sides of the debate – those who advocate for raw milk consumption and those who warn about its risks.
* **Provides details and context:** The article gives details about the specific dairy farm affected, the measures taken by authorities, and the ancient context of the debate surrounding raw milk.
* **Engaging Structure:** The use of headings, subheadings, paragraphs, images, and captions make the article easy to read and understand.
**Suggestions for improvement:**
* **Elaborate on Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s involvement:** The article mentions Kennedy’s stance on raw milk and his contact with John McAfee, but it could provide more details about Kennedy’s potential influence on policies regarding raw milk consumption.
* **Discuss the potential impact of the bird flu outbreak on the raw milk industry:** The article touches upon the financial impact on Raw Farms but could expand on the broader implications for other raw milk producers and consumers.
* **Explore option solutions:** While the article highlights the ongoing debate, it could explore potential solutions or mitigations, such as stricter regulations for raw milk production or further research on pasteurization alternatives.
this is a well-written and informative article about a complex and timely issue. By incorporating the suggested improvements, you could make it even more comprehensive and insightful.
