Detection of Avian Flu in Raw Milk Raises Health Concerns

California officials identify bird flu in raw milk, reigniting debates over its safety as public health experts warn of significant risks.

A sample of raw milk from a Fresno-based dairy tested positive for avian flu, marking the first detection of the virus in raw milk in California.
Raw Farm LLC, the dairy involved, has faced multiple recalls in the past for products contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Campylobacter, and Salmonella.
Public health experts emphasize that raw milk carries a higher risk of harmful pathogens compared to pasteurized milk, which undergoes heat treatment to eliminate bacteria.
The CDC and FDA report that unpasteurized dairy products are linked to hundreds of illnesses annually, with children and immunocompromised individuals particularly vulnerable.
Advocacy for raw milk, including from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary, has drawn criticism from food safety experts who cite serious health risks.