Bird Flu Prompts Raw Milk Recall in California

The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning and voluntary recall for a specific lot of raw milk from RAW FARM in Fresno County after bird flu was detected in a retail sample. The recall affects cream top, whole raw milk with lot ID #20241109 and a best by date of November 27, 2024. Despite the detection, no illnesses related to this batch have been reported, and RAW FARM's own tests have returned negative results. The public is advised to return the affected milk for a refund, and retailers have been instructed to remove it from their shelves. While pasteurized milk remains safe due to the heating process that kills pathogens, there are ongoing concerns about the risks of consuming raw milk, which can carry harmful viruses and bacteria. This recall follows a rise in bird flu cases in California, primarily among those in direct contact with dairy cows or poultry.