California Raw Milk Recall Raises Questions Amid Bird Flu Testing Discrepancy
Source: DairyNews.today
California state agriculture officials conducted an intensive investigation at Raw Farm LLC this week following a recall of its raw milk products. The move comes after public health authorities detected the H5N1 bird flu virus in a store-bought raw milk sample, sparking concerns about the safety of unpasteurized dairy.
The Incident and Initial Findings
Last week, Santa Clara County health officials reported a positive test for bird flu in a raw milk sample bottled by Raw Farm. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) later confirmed the findings. However, subsequent testing at Raw Farm’s Fresno and Hanford operations showed no evidence of the virus among the farm’s 1,800 cattle.
Despite the lack of positive results in herd testing, the state’s recall of roughly 2,000 gallons of cream-top whole milk remains in effect. The affected products were bottled on November 9.
Expert Skepticism Over Test Results
The conflicting results have puzzled public health experts. John Korslund, a retired USDA veterinary epidemiologist, highlighted concerns about the discrepancy. “The Ct value of 25 in the initial test indicates a significant viral presence. It’s unusual for a herd to test completely negative afterward if the milk sample came fr om the same source,” he said.
Richard Webby, a researcher with the World Health Organization, added that the test used to detect H5 does not determine if the virus is active or inactive. A virus isolation test, which could clarify the nature of the virus, has not yet been confirmed as part of the investigation.
Concerns About Product Integrity
Korslund suggested the possibility of a "product integrity issue," speculating that contamination might have occurred during the bottling process. “If pasteurized milk contaminated with inactivated virus was mistakenly introduced into raw milk supplies, it could explain the positive result without implicating the herd,” he explained.
Raw Farm’s owner, Mark McAfee, has dismissed claims that his herd is infected. He noted that ongoing state tests of bulk milk and advanced monitoring of individual cows show no signs of disease. McAfee also emphasized that his equipment is exclusive to Raw Farm’s operations, minimizing contamination risks.
Broader Context and Industry Concerns
The recall comes amid a broader bird flu outbreak in California, with 461 herds reportedly affected this year. While public health officials maintain that the risk to consumers from H5N1 in dairy is low, they continue to advise against consuming raw milk.
Earlier incidents in the outbreak involved pasteurized milk, wh ere virus traces were later confirmed as inactivated. The current case raises fresh questions about testing protocols and the reliability of supply chain processes in unpasteurized dairy production.
Future Steps
State and federal health authorities are likely to review testing procedures and potential contamination points within the production process. For now, the investigation remains ongoing, with McAfee expressing frustration over what he perceives as undue scrutiny.
“This feels like an attack on our operations, despite consistent negative results,” McAfee said.
The case underscores the challenges of balancing public health concerns with the growing demand for unpasteurized dairy products, a segment often under heightened regulatory and consumer scrutiny.
Last week, Santa Clara County health officials reported a positive test for bird flu in a raw milk sample bottled by Raw Farm. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) later confirmed the findings. However, subsequent testing at Raw Farm’s Fresno and Hanford operations showed no evidence of the virus among the farm’s 1,800 cattle.
Despite the lack of positive results in herd testing, the state’s recall of roughly 2,000 gallons of cream-top whole milk remains in effect. The affected products were bottled on November 9.
Expert Skepticism Over Test Results
The conflicting results have puzzled public health experts. John Korslund, a retired USDA veterinary epidemiologist, highlighted concerns about the discrepancy. “The Ct value of 25 in the initial test indicates a significant viral presence. It’s unusual for a herd to test completely negative afterward if the milk sample came fr om the same source,” he said.
Richard Webby, a researcher with the World Health Organization, added that the test used to detect H5 does not determine if the virus is active or inactive. A virus isolation test, which could clarify the nature of the virus, has not yet been confirmed as part of the investigation.
Concerns About Product Integrity
Korslund suggested the possibility of a "product integrity issue," speculating that contamination might have occurred during the bottling process. “If pasteurized milk contaminated with inactivated virus was mistakenly introduced into raw milk supplies, it could explain the positive result without implicating the herd,” he explained.
Raw Farm’s owner, Mark McAfee, has dismissed claims that his herd is infected. He noted that ongoing state tests of bulk milk and advanced monitoring of individual cows show no signs of disease. McAfee also emphasized that his equipment is exclusive to Raw Farm’s operations, minimizing contamination risks.
Broader Context and Industry Concerns
The recall comes amid a broader bird flu outbreak in California, with 461 herds reportedly affected this year. While public health officials maintain that the risk to consumers from H5N1 in dairy is low, they continue to advise against consuming raw milk.
Earlier incidents in the outbreak involved pasteurized milk, wh ere virus traces were later confirmed as inactivated. The current case raises fresh questions about testing protocols and the reliability of supply chain processes in unpasteurized dairy production.
Future Steps
State and federal health authorities are likely to review testing procedures and potential contamination points within the production process. For now, the investigation remains ongoing, with McAfee expressing frustration over what he perceives as undue scrutiny.
“This feels like an attack on our operations, despite consistent negative results,” McAfee said.
The case underscores the challenges of balancing public health concerns with the growing demand for unpasteurized dairy products, a segment often under heightened regulatory and consumer scrutiny.
