A major California raw milk producer has been suspended from distribution after state officials detected bird flu virus in milk samples, amid rising concerns about H5N1 infections nationwide.
Raw Farm, located in Fresno, was placed under full quarantine Thursday after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of bird flu virus in its products. Company owner Mark McAfee acknowledged that his cows are infected with H5N1, though he noted they showed no obvious symptoms.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has suspended all Raw Farm operations, from herds to bottled products. While existing products can remain on store shelves, no new supply will be distributed until the quarantine is lifted.
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“CDFA dairy inspectors sampled milk from bottled products and bulk milk storage at Raw Farm’s bottling facility on Wednesday, Nov 27, and laboratory test results made known on November 28 showed the presence of the bird flu virus. All milk tested by CDFA remained at the Raw Farm plant and was not released to consumers,” the CDFA said in a statement.
The suspension follows state health officials’ warnings against consuming specific Raw Farm batches, including products with lot codes 20241119 and 20241109. The company has issued a voluntary recall for affected products.
Interestingly, according to a company fact sheet shared with CNN, McAfee was asked to apply for a position as FDA advisor on raw milk policy by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s transition team. Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, has been an outspoken supporter of raw milk access and has criticized what he calls “aggressive suppression” of raw milk by regulators. Kennedy has publicly stated that he drinks raw milk himself.
The FDA has consistently warned against raw milk consumption, stating there is no scientific evidence supporting claimed health benefits. The agency notes that unpasteurized milk can carry various pathogens, including listeria, E. coli, and bird flu virus, posing particular risks to children, elderly people, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
The suspension comes as human cases of H5N1 bird flu have increased across the country, with 55 cases reported across seven states. California accounts for the majority of these cases, though no infections have been directly linked to raw milk consumption.
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