The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statewide warning on Monday, advising the public to avoid consuming a specific batch of cream top, whole raw milk produced and packaged by Raw Farm LLC, a Fresno County-based company. The warning follows the detection of bird flu in a retail sample of the milk.
The voluntary recall affects lot code 20241109 with a best by date of 11/27/2024, which is printed on the packaging. Consumers who have purchased the affected product are urged to return it to the store where it was bought. Retailers have been notified to remove the recalled product from their shelves.
Although no illnesses have been reported, health officials caution against consuming the affected raw milk, as the bird flu virus could potentially cause illness. The virus can be contracted by drinking or inhaling contaminated raw milk. Additionally, touching the eyes, nose, or mouth after coming into contact with the milk may lead to infection.
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans
If you have consumed the recalled product and are experiencing symptoms such as eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, fever, or difficulty breathing, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Health Risks of Raw Milk
The CDPH has long warned against consuming raw milk products due to the elevated risks of foodborne illnesses. Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and other harmful bacteria have been linked to outbreaks from raw dairy products. Unlike pasteurized milk, which undergoes a heating process to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, raw milk has not been treated to eliminate these pathogens, including bird flu.
What’s Being Done
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory discovered the presence of bird flu in a sample of Raw Farm’s product purchased at a retail store. This finding was later confirmed by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.
Since October, California has reported 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu, with all but one case being linked to direct contact with infected dairy cows. Fortunately, no person-to-person transmission of the virus has been detected, and the reported cases have primarily involved mild symptoms, mostly eye infections.
Final Recommendations
Consumers are urged to return any remaining affected product to the store and avoid consuming any raw milk from the recalled batch. As always, pasteurized milk is considered safe for consumption because the pasteurization process effectively kills harmful pathogens, including bird flu.
source
- SNAP: CalFresh payments in California, great Food Stamps checks of up to $1,756 in December - November 26, 2024
- Osteopathic Surgeon Faces License Surrender After Patient’s Death in Florida Surgery - November 26, 2024
- Florida’s STD Crisis: Counties with the Highest Rates of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis - November 26, 2024
