A raw milk supplier in California has voluntarily recalled a batch of milk after a retail sample tested positive for the H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu. On November 24, the California Department of Public Health issued a warning advising consumers to avoid consuming the affected product, which was produced and packaged by Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County.
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As reported by PEOPLE, the impacted batch labeled with lot code 20241109 and a Best by date of November 27, 2024, was flagged after revealing traces of the virus. However, further testing at Raw Farm’s two production facilities by the California Department of Food and Agriculture yielded negative results for bird flu. In a statement, Raw Farm explained that all official tests were negative and emphasized their commitment to safety.
“We decided to do the right thing and recall it, even though this is not a big deal,” a representative said in a YouTube video addressing the situation. Raw Farm also clarifed that the positive test detected genetic material, not a live virus. “A live virus was not found,” they stated. Despite the recall, the CDPH maintains that consumers should avoid the affected milk out of caution.
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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 55 human cases of bird flu this year, primarily linked to exposure to infected poultry or livestock. Bird flu outbreaks have been documented in six states beyond California, including Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas.
It also warns against consuming raw milk with H5N1, as it could pose serious health risks. Additionally, raw milk may carry harmful pathogens like salmonella, E.coli, and listeria. The agency advises to consume pasterized milk which provides the same nutritional benefits.
