Health officials in California confirmed the presence of H5N1 bird flu virus in raw milk samples from Raw Farm dairy based in Fresno. The discovery has prompted a voluntary recall of specific milk products.
The contaminated sample was identified during routine testing by Santa Clara County public health officials. Raw Farm has recalled all quart and half-gallon milk products manufactured on November 9th with a November 27th expiration date (lot ID #20241109). No illnesses linked to these products have been reported.
This detection comes amid growing concerns about H5N1 spread in California. Currently, 29 people in the state have tested positive for the virus, with most cases occurring among dairy workers. Nationwide, 55 cases have been confirmed, primarily affecting those working with dairy and poultry.
Raw Farm owner Mark McAfee stated that previous testing conducted by his company and the California Department of Food and Agriculture had yielded negative results. "In the last two days CDFA has collected extra dairy samples from our farm bulk tanks and even retail samples and they are all officially Negative for HPAI," McAfee noted.
The dairy, which operates two facilities near Fresno and Hanford, is California's largest producer of raw milk products. While raw milk sales are legal within California, the FDA prohibits interstate commerce of unpasteurized milk for human consumption and recommends against consuming raw dairy products. Pasteurization effectively eliminates the virus.
Consumers who purchased affected products are advised to return them to their place of purchase for a refund or replacement. However, McAfee indicated that most products have likely already been removed from shelves due to the company's seven-day return policy.
The situation highlights ongoing debates about raw milk consumption as several states recently expanded access to unpasteurized dairy products. Meanwhile, surveillance data shows H5N1 presence in California indicating broader circulation of the virus in the region.