An ex-government food safety expert is urging Americans to avoid raw dairy products following the news that bird flu has been detected in unpasteurized milk in for the first time in California.
The state’s health department revealed the H5N1 virus was found in a batch of cream top, whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy farm Raw Farm and an urgent recall has been made.
Dr Darin Detwiler, a former advisor to the FDA and USDA, told DailyMail.com people should definitely avoid raw milk and cheeses because they ‘do not undergo the heat treatment necessary to ensure safety.’
Raw dairy products have not been pasteurized, a process that removes disease-causing germs by heating milk to a high enough temperature.
While sales have been banned or restricted for decades on health grounds, in recent years they have benefited from a booming demand for organic produce, with at least 4.4 per cent of Americans (nearly 11 million people) trying raw milk each year.
Dr Detwiler also warns that people should be extra vigilant with their turkeys this Thanksgiving because of the bird flu outbreak in poultry and to avoid desserts, salad dressings and other items that contain raw eggs.
More than 300,000 turkeys have been infected with bird flu so far this month alone, according to the Department of Agriculture.
And since 2022, the disease has infected nearly 7 million commercial and backyard chickens in the US.
Dr Darin Detwiler, a former advisor to the FDA and USDA, is urging people to be cautious amid the spread of bird flu
The virus was detected in unpasteurized, commercial milk in for the first time in California
Dr Detwiler said it is ‘important to avoid cross-contamination by ensuring raw poultry or bird products do not come into contact with dairy products in the fridge or during food preparation.’
The finding of bird flu in raw milk in California is significant because it marks the first time it has been found in the commercial milk supply.
Raw milk carries an inherently elevated risk of foodborne illness that the high-temperature pasteurization process helps eliminate.
The FDA’s longstanding recommendation regarding the consumption of raw milk is that it is considered a ‘high-risk food’ because of these factors.
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However, the government agency notes that ‘based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time if [bird flu] can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw milk and products made from raw milk from infected cows.’
While investigations around this link continue, Dr Detwiler advises only consuming pasteurized dairy products.
Similarly, the CDC warns that ‘unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made from raw milk, including soft cheese, ice cream, and yogurt, can be contaminated with germs that can cause serious illness, hospitalization, or death.’
When it comes to eggs, Dr Detwiler warns these are a ‘significant are a significant risk when it comes to exposure to the bird flu virus, particularly in foods like homemade mayonnaise, aioli, or certain dessert recipes (e.g., mousse, tiramisu).’
Food safety experts have warned against eating eggs with runny yolks, as they are not properly cooked and could increase the risk of contracting bird flu
He adds: ‘Until the bird flu crisis is under control, it’s wise to avoid dishes that use raw or lightly cooked eggs.’
Salad dressings are also a risk so if you are ordering out, the safest options are a simple olive oil or vinaigrette.
As for poultry such as turkey and chicken, the consumer food safety advocate says it is important to ensure that it has been handled properly before purchasing and that the packaging is intact.
While avian flu does not directly impact red meat, the Boston-based professor also notes that steakhouses are ‘not safe zones, and cross-contamination risks can exist in mixed-use kitchens that handle poultry.’
He adds: ‘Restaurants that serve both poultry and beef should be scrutinized for their food safety practices.
‘If dining out, ensure the restaurant follows stringent food safety protocols.’
To check a restaurant’s food safety rating in the US, inspection scores and reports are typically accessible via local health department websites.
For those looking to be extra careful, Dr Detwiler says going dairy and meat free is easier than ever with ‘lots of products to choose from.’
‘Since there have been infections among dairy workers, it’s worth considering alternatives like plant-based milks and cheeses,’ said Dr Detwiler, who previously served on the USDA’s National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection.
‘You could also stock up on plant-based salad dressings.’
The state’s health department revealed the H5N1 virus was found in a batch of cream top, whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy farm Raw Farm and an urgent recall has been made
In terms of cooking turkeys, he says ‘cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) effectively kills the virus, making it safe for consumption.’
Other food safety tips he offers include ‘washing hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after contact with raw meat.’
Along with dairy farms, poultry farms have been crushed by the spread of bird flu.
A significant aspect of managing bird flu outbreaks, Dr Detwiler says, is the depopulation of infected flocks.
Fifty-five human cases of H5 bird flu have now been reported in the US this year, with 29 in California.
Last week, the CDC confirmed a human infection with bird flu in a child in California.
This is the first reported avian influenza H5 virus infection in a child in the US.
Consistent with other human cases among adults, the child reportedly experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals.
There were low levels of viral material detected in the initial specimen collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses.
The child is said to be recovering from their illness.
During CDPH’s investigation, the child’s family members reported having similar symptoms.
‘Millions of chickens and turkeys are euthanized during outbreaks, and it takes time to repopulate these farms,’ food safety expert Dr Detwiler says
While they tested negative for bird flu, some family members were positive for the same common respiratory viruses as the child.
Contact tracing continues, but there is currently no evidence of person-to-person spread of H5N1 bird flu from this child to others.
To date, there has been no person-to-person spread identified associated with any of the H5N1 bird flu cases reported in the US.
An investigation by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) into the child’s possible H5N1 exposure source remains ongoing.
