Nearly all of the ill people interviewed reported consuming Raw Farm-brand raw dairy products. Testing and an onsite inspection of Raw Farm’s operation in California is ongoing. Raw Farm LLC has yet to issue a recall.
“If mandatory authority needs to be strengthened, the Food Safety Caucus stands ready to tackle this issue at FDA’s request,” wrote Congress members in a statement about the ongoing E. coli outbreak involving Raw Farm raw cheese products. Raw Farm has so far refused to recall.
In a new scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) spreading from U.S. dairy cattle to Europe is very low, but still stresses preparedness and heightened surveillance.
A new study found high levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria isolated from unpasteurized (raw) cow and sheep milk in Pakistan, with the potential to spread resistance genes to other bacteria through the food chain.
In light of the ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) bird flu outbreak affecting North American dairy cattle, a new CDC report concluded that the risk of contracting bird flu from raw milk and dairy is “low, but theoretically possible.”
USDA-FSIS released a notice in late June that it plans to extend its H5N1 Influenza A Dairy Cow Testing Program until September 30. Meanwhile, the EU released a new guidance document on preparedness, prevention, and response for avian flu in animals and food.
Many raw foods pose a higher risk of contamination compared to their cooked or processed counterparts. Consumers making choices in pursuit of health and wellness deserve full transparency about both the risks and benefits of these foods.
According to a pre-publication version of a study conducted by Cornell University and backed by FDA, aging raw milk cheese may not be effective at eliminating the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus. However, adequate heat treating or pH 5.0 conditions could be effective.
Acidification can inactivate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1), a.k.a. “bird flu,” in milk, according to a UC Davis study. The finding is especially relevant to farmers, who often do not pasteurize waste milk.
The time is now for food safety professionals to heighten vigilance pertaining the dairy chain and raw milk—before the hypothetical risks of avian influenza H5N1 contamination become a reality. NEHA’s raw milk policy underscores the dangers of raw milk, advocating for policies that prioritize public health.
