December 17, 2024

California, US-based raw milk producer hit by recall after bird flu virus found in milk sample

Raw milk produced and packaged by Valley Milk Simply Bottled in Stanislaus County, California, the United States, is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The recall order came following the detection of the influenza-A H5N1 virus in samples taken from a raw milk bulk tank at the Valley Milk Simply Bottled dairy farm.

The order applies to all Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Cow Milk and DESI Milk Raw Cow Milk distributed in quart, half-gallon, and one-gallon plastic jugs.

The quarantine order will remain in place at the dairy until state officials are satisfied that the company's raw milk is not contaminated.

This is the second California company to be ordered to recall raw milk due to the presence of bird flu. In late November and early December, Raw Farm LLC was ordered to cease sales and recall raw milk from two batches as testing showed contamination with bird flu.

"Drinking raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to infection with this rare, emerging flu virus," California's food and agriculture department said.

Federal law prohibits the sale of unpasteurised, raw milk — also referred to as "fresh" milk by some — across state lines. However, some states allow it to be sold on farms and at grocery stores.

- Food Safety News