California Suspends Raw Milk Distribution After Bird Flu Found in Samples
Source: DairyNews.today
California has suspended distribution of raw milk products from Raw Farm after samples tested positive for bird flu, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced Monday.
"All Raw Farm operations are currently under quarantine, fr om herds to bottled product, which means that all raw milk product distribution is suspended," CDFA Public Affairs Director Steve Lyle said in a statement.
CDFA inspectors collected samples from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farm’s bottling facility on November 27, with test results on November 28 confirming the presence of the bird flu virus. The milk, which remained at the facility, was not released to consumers, according to the department.
Federal, state, and local officials are continuing to investigate the incident, Lyle said.
Previous Recall and Consumer Warning
Health officials had earlier warned against consuming two specific lots of Raw Farm products—lot code 20241119 with a best-by date of December 7, 2024, and lot code 20241109 with a best-by date of November 27—after testing detected bird flu in the milk.
Raw Farm stated that products predating state testing might still be available on store shelves but said no new supply will be distributed until the quarantine is lifted.
“Our hard-working dairy team is working in full cooperation with the state to maintain regulatory compliance,” the company said on Instagram, apologizing for expected supply shortages.
Rising Demand and Controversy
As bird flu continues to spread among U.S. poultry and livestock, raw milk has gained renewed attention, bolstered by some high-profile endorsements. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is slated to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President-elect Donald Trump, has previously criticized regulatory limits on raw milk.
Kennedy alleged in an October post on X that raw milk was subject to “aggressive suppression” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee has reportedly been approached by Kennedy’s transition team to serve as an advisor on raw milk policy, the company said in a fact sheet shared with CNN.
Health Risks of Raw Milk
Unlike pasteurized milk, which undergoes a heat treatment to kill harmful bacteria, raw milk can carry pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and bird flu virus, according to the California Department of Public Health. Vulnerable groups—including children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems—face higher risks of severe illness.
The FDA maintains that raw milk has no scientifically proven health benefits and is prohibited from being sold across state lines. The agency has urged states to enhance public warnings about raw milk risks, especially in areas wh ere dairy herds have tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1).
Investigations and Public Health Guidance
No cases of bird flu have been directly linked to Raw Farm products. However, state officials are examining potential connections between bird flu in raw milk and its broader spread among livestock and humans.
As of this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 55 human cases of bird flu, including 29 in California, primarily among farm workers exposed to infected animals.
Symptoms in humans range from flu-like ailments—such as fever, cough, and fatigue—to gastrointestinal issues and difficulty swallowing. California’s health department advises anyone who has consumed raw milk and experiences symptoms to contact their healthcare provider or local health department immediately.
CDFA inspectors collected samples from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farm’s bottling facility on November 27, with test results on November 28 confirming the presence of the bird flu virus. The milk, which remained at the facility, was not released to consumers, according to the department.
Federal, state, and local officials are continuing to investigate the incident, Lyle said.
Previous Recall and Consumer Warning
Health officials had earlier warned against consuming two specific lots of Raw Farm products—lot code 20241119 with a best-by date of December 7, 2024, and lot code 20241109 with a best-by date of November 27—after testing detected bird flu in the milk.
Raw Farm stated that products predating state testing might still be available on store shelves but said no new supply will be distributed until the quarantine is lifted.
“Our hard-working dairy team is working in full cooperation with the state to maintain regulatory compliance,” the company said on Instagram, apologizing for expected supply shortages.
Rising Demand and Controversy
As bird flu continues to spread among U.S. poultry and livestock, raw milk has gained renewed attention, bolstered by some high-profile endorsements. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is slated to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President-elect Donald Trump, has previously criticized regulatory limits on raw milk.
Kennedy alleged in an October post on X that raw milk was subject to “aggressive suppression” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee has reportedly been approached by Kennedy’s transition team to serve as an advisor on raw milk policy, the company said in a fact sheet shared with CNN.
Health Risks of Raw Milk
Unlike pasteurized milk, which undergoes a heat treatment to kill harmful bacteria, raw milk can carry pathogens such as salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and bird flu virus, according to the California Department of Public Health. Vulnerable groups—including children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems—face higher risks of severe illness.
The FDA maintains that raw milk has no scientifically proven health benefits and is prohibited from being sold across state lines. The agency has urged states to enhance public warnings about raw milk risks, especially in areas wh ere dairy herds have tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1).
Investigations and Public Health Guidance
No cases of bird flu have been directly linked to Raw Farm products. However, state officials are examining potential connections between bird flu in raw milk and its broader spread among livestock and humans.
As of this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 55 human cases of bird flu, including 29 in California, primarily among farm workers exposed to infected animals.
Symptoms in humans range from flu-like ailments—such as fever, cough, and fatigue—to gastrointestinal issues and difficulty swallowing. California’s health department advises anyone who has consumed raw milk and experiences symptoms to contact their healthcare provider or local health department immediately.
