The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning after bird flu was detected in a batch of raw milk sold in the state. The agency advised consumers not to drink the affected raw milk, although it clarified that pasteurized milk remains safe to consume. The warning comes amid the ongoing spread of bird flu in poultry, dairy cows, and sporadic human cases. While no illnesses have been reported from the affected raw milk lot, authorities are taking precautions due to the potential risks.
The affected product was raw milk sold by Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County, California, which recalled quart and half-gallon containers with the lot ID of 20241109 and a best-by date of November 27. On Thursday, the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory tested a sample from the batch and found it positive for H5 bird flu. The result was later verified by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory. The company has stated that it follows standard safety procedures to monitor cows for illness, and the affected raw milk should no longer be available in stores.
In response to the issue, Raw Farm has emphasized that all other test results, including those from official state laboratories, have been negative for bird flu. The company has also reassured customers that its supply chain has not been affected by the recall and that there will be no changes to its distribution routes. Raw Farm’s VP of marketing, Kaleigh Stanziani, confirmed in a video that the company is acting out of an abundance of caution while continuing its normal operations.
This recall is part of a broader concern related to the spread of bird flu, which has impacted both poultry and cattle in the U.S. this year. Public health officials have long warned against the consumption of raw milk due to the risk of harmful pathogens, and it remains illegal to sell raw milk across state lines. Despite this, there has been increasing interest in raw milk, particularly among high-profile advocates, even as the FDA continues to warn against its consumption due to safety concerns.
The outbreak of bird flu has also raised concerns about its potential to spread among humans, particularly those working closely with infected animals. In 2024, the CDC reported 55 human cases of bird flu, including 29 in California. While there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, public health authorities are urging anyone who consumes potentially contaminated products to seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms.
