California health officials have issued a warning about a batch of raw milk from Fresno-based Raw Farm after detecting the bird flu virus in its products. Additional testing is underway, the state reported.

 

“As part of the ongoing investigation into the link between bird flu detections in raw milk and its spread in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, we urge consumers not to consume the affected milk,” the California Department of Public Health said on Wednesday. Raw Farm has voluntarily recalled the batch with code 20241119 and a best-before date of December 7, 2024. Earlier this week, the company recalled other batches identified as 20241109, with a best-before date of November 27.

 

Although no human cases of bird flu linked to this milk have been reported, the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory detected the virus in products during routine testing at retail stores, one week after it was found in another batch from Raw Farm.

 

You might also be interested in its Spanish version: Autoridades de California advierten sobre leche contaminada con gripe aviar

 

Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk does not go through processes that eliminate harmful bacteria and may contain pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, health officials warn. The FDA and other authorities have reiterated that there is no scientific evidence to support health benefits from consuming raw milk. Raw Farm stated that its products undergo rigorous quality testing and that all tests conducted so far have been negative for bird flu. However, the investigation by authorities continues.

 

The bird flu outbreak in poultry and livestock in the U.S. has raised concerns among scientists, who fear the virus could mutate and spread more easily among humans. The CDC has reported 55 human cases of bird flu in 2024, including 29 in California. People who have consumed the affected product and experience symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, or fatigue should contact their healthcare provider or local health department immediately, authorities warned.