Recall of Raw Farm Raw Milk Products Expanded To Lots 20241109 Through 20241127

[niman]

California health officials said late Tuesday they secured a "broad recall" of raw milk and raw cream, pulling all products made by producer Raw Farms off shelves after testing turned up positive for bird flu.

Fresno-based Raw Farm is now under quarantine, suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after Nov. 27, the California Department of Public Health said.

The action follows two recalls by Raw Farm after bird flu was detected in milk sold at retailers.

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/broad-recall-of-raw-milk-in-california-after-bird-flu-testing-120424.html

[niman]

'Broad recall' of raw milk in California after bird flu testing

 

Following two recalls, a California producer of raw milk has had to issue a recall of all of its milk following detection of the bird flu virus. (c) ConsumerAffairs

Share

It follows two recalls by Raw Farm because of bird flu

Dieter Holger, Data Reporter

•Dec 4, 2024

California health officials said late Tuesday they secured a "broad recall" of raw milk and raw cream, pulling all products made by producer Raw Farms off shelves after testing turned up positive for bird flu.

Fresno-based Raw Farm is now under quarantine, suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after Nov. 27, the California Department of Public Health said.

The action follows two recalls by Raw Farm after bird flu was detected in milk sold at retailers.

In response to previous recalls, Raw Farm told ConsumerAffairs that raw milk is safe to drink and has health benefits that pasteurized milk doesn't have.

The sale of raw milk is legal in California and all 50 states, but has more restrictions because of the danger it contains pathogens that aren't eliminated through pateurization, which heats up milk to kill germs but also kills bacteria that raw milk advocates say promote health.

What are the product details of the recalled raw milk and raw cream?

• Product name: Raw Farm
• Lot number: 20241109 through 20241127
• Production date: Nov. 9 to Nov. 27

Where was the raw milk with bird flu sold?

The County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory first detected the bird flu in the milk at an unnamed retail location, the CDPH said Nov. 25.

On Nov. 26, the CDPH said further testing by Santa Clara County inspectors found bird flu in a second sample of Raw Farm's raw milk at a retail location.

What to do

California officials said the public should avoid drinking raw milk and related raw dairty products since they have the danger of being contaminated with bird flu and other harmful germs.

Pasteurization, or the heating of milk, kills harmful contamination that can be in raw dairy products, the CDPH said.

In response, Raw Farm told ConsumerAffairs that there is no evidence of people getting bird flu after drinking raw milk.

What are the health risks of bird flu?

Since early October, there have been 29 cases of the bird flu in California, but 28 were among people with direct contact with dairy cows, the CDPH said.

To date, no person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California or the U.S., the CPDH said.

All cases have reported mild symptoms, such as eye infections, and nobody has been hospitalized, the CPDH said.

The CPDH said on Dec. 3 that a child had contracted bird flu without known contact with a farm animal, but just had mild respiratory symptoms.

Still, the CDPH said "bird flu viruses can change and gain the ability to spread more easily between people."

How was the bird flu found?

Health officials detected bird flu in the raw milk after testing.

Californian health officials have stepped up their testing of raw milk to weekly testing of bulk tanks in response to a recent outbreak of bird flu in dairy herds, the CPDH said.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture followed up with Raw Farm for immediate sampling and additional testing after the last two detections of bird flu, the CDPH said.

Now, Raw Farm is under quarantine and can't sell its raw milk or other raw dairy products.

How many any illnesses from the raw milk?

The CDPH said there have been no reported illnesses from the raw milk or raw dairy products as of Dec. 3.

Dieter HolgerData Reporter

Dieter Holger is a data reporter for ConsumerAffairs. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, PCWorld and dozens of other outlets. He holds a Master of Science in computational and data journalism from Cardiff University and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from UC Santa Cruz. Write to him at [email protected].

 

[niman]

Fresno’s Raw Farm, LLC diary products recalled for bird flu

by: Victoria Meza

Posted: Dec 3, 2024 / 09:00 PM PST

Updated: Dec 3, 2024 / 09:00 PM PST

 

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A voluntary recall has been issued, affecting products from a Fresno raw dairy company, the California Department of Public Health announced.

Officials say the voluntary recall was issued for all Raw Farm, LLC milk and cream products that remain on retail shelves due to a possible bird flu contamination.

According to officials, the voluntary recall follows the detection of bird flu contamination in the company’s milk and dairy in the past week, and they add the company’s products have tested positive for the virus at both retail and dairy storage and bottling sites in recent days.

The recall affected all milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC produced between Nov. 3 and Nov. 27. The affected lot numbers are 20241109 through 20241127, which includes lots from Nov. 27 and Nov. 24, also recently recalled, officials said.

Although the recall only applies to milk and cream products from Raw Farm, health department officials urge everyone to avoid consuming any of their products, including raw milk, cheese, and kefir, as well as raw milk pet food topper and pet food kefir marketed to pet owners.

The company has also been placed under quarantine. Health department officials say pasteurized milk remains safe to drink.

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/fresnos-raw-farm-llc-diary-products-recalled-for-bird-flu/

[niman]

State Secures Broad Voluntary Recall of Raw Milk and Cream to Protect Consumers 

December 3, 2024

NR24-044

Recall includes all Raw Farm, LLC raw milk and cream remaining on retail shelves; CDPH warns consumers against consuming any raw milk products from quarantined farm

What You Need to Know: California has secured a broad, voluntary recall of all Raw Farm, LLC raw milk and cream products due to possible bird flu contamination. Californians are strongly encouraged not to consume any raw milk or cream products in their possession or still on store shelves. Pasteurized milk remains safe to drink.  

Sacramento – Continuing its action to protect public health, the state has secured a broad, voluntary recall of all raw whole milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC that remain on retail shelves following multiple bird flu virus detections in the company’s milk and dairy in the past week. Raw Farm milk products have tested positive for bird flu at both retail and dairy storage and bottling sites in recent days. 

Today’s expanded recall ensures that all sizes of Raw Farm milk and cream, produced between November 9 and November 27, are pulled from retail shelves. The affected lot numbers are 20241109 through 20241127, which includes the two lots recalled last week (November 27 and November 24). 

Customers should immediately return any remaining product to the retail point of purchase. 

Public health officials identified the bird flu virus in retail products from Raw Farm, LLC last week. Additional testing by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) of bulk milk storage and bottled products at Raw Farm’s bottling facility showed the presence of the bird flu virus. All milk tested by CDFA remained at the Raw Farm plant and was not released to consumers. As the disease investigation continues, Raw Farm is cooperating fully with CDPH and CDFA. 

While this voluntary recall only applies to raw whole milk and cream, due to multiple bird flu detections in the company's operation the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges consumers to avoid consuming any Raw Farm products for human consumption including raw milk, cream, cheese, and kefir, as well as raw milk pet food topper and pet food kefir marketed to pet owners. 

In addition to the statewide voluntary recall, CDFA has placed the farm under quarantine, suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter and cheese products produced on or after November 27. 

No human bird flu cases associated with the product have been confirmed to date, and the state is working closely with federal and local partners to investigate the situation and better understand how it might impact consumers. California continues to monitor and respond to bird flu outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry. Bird flu virus levels have been demonstrated to be high in raw milk from infected cows, and sporadic human cases identified in workers in close contact with infected dairy cows and their milk indicate that raw milk is infectious to humans.       

Risks Associated with Raw Milk

Public health experts have long warned consumers against consuming raw milk or raw milk products due to elevated risks of foodborne illness. Outbreaks due to Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxin producing E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported related to consuming raw dairy products. Raw milk products are not pasteurized, a heating process that kills bacteria and viruses such as bird flu.

Pasteurized milk and pasteurized milk products are safe to consume because the heating process kills pathogens, including bird flu, that can cause illness.

Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness. In addition, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection. Symptoms of bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever. Anyone who has consumed these specific products and is experiencing these symptoms, should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department.

Pet Safety and Raw Milk Pet Food Products

CDPH advises consumers to avoid raw milk “pet food topper” and “pet food kefir” products marketed to pet owners. They should neither eat this food themselves nor feed it to their pets. Cats, dogs, and other animals may become sick with bird flu after drinking raw milk. Cats on infected dairy farms in multiple states have died from bird flu, most likely from drinking raw milk from infected cows. CDPH encourages pet owners to avoid feeding their pets raw pet food products in general, including raw milk-based products. To further limit risk to pets, pet owners should also keep their pets away from sick or dead birds.

California Regularly Tests Raw Milk

As part of the state’s bird flu response, testing of raw milk from dairies has been increased to help prevent raw milk consumers from getting the virus. Once bird flu was found in California dairy herds, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) began regular testing of raw milk in bulk tanks. In response to these recent positive tests from two retail raw milk batches, CDFA followed up with immediate additional sampling and testing at Raw Farm.

Pasteurized Milk is Safe to Drink

Pasteurized milk is safe to drink. Pasteurization, one of the most significant scientific food safety discoveries in human history, is the process of heating milk to specific temperatures for a certain length of time to kill many microorganisms and enzymes that lead to spoilage and illness. Pasteurization kills the bird flu virus and other harmful germs that can be found in raw milk. CDPH advises consumers not to drink raw milk or eat raw milk products due to the risk of foodborne illnesses.

About Bird Flu

Since early October, California has reported 31 confirmed human cases of bird flu, 30 of whom had direct contact with infected dairy cows. No person-to-person spread of bird flu has been detected in California or the U.S. To date, all cases have reported mild symptoms (primarily eye infections), and none have been hospitalized. Because bird flu viruses can change and gain the ability to spread more easily between people, public health officials have provided preventive measures and are monitoring animal and human infections carefully.

Protecting Public Health

California continues to take swift and comprehensive action in response to the detection of bird flu in dairy cows across the Central Valley, demonstrating a strong commitment to public health and worker safety. While the overall risk to the public remains low, the state is prioritizing containment efforts, raising public awareness, and providing resources to those at higher risk. Key initiatives include the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), increased testing, and robust surveillance of infected areas.

Through coordinated efforts between CDPH, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other agencies, California is leading a cross-agency response that includes multilingual outreach to dairy and poultry workers, a targeted social media campaign to promote preventive practices, and media interviews to keep the public informed. Additionally, the state is ensuring that farm workers have access to additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce concurrent flu risks.

Specifically, the state is:

• Working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor bird flu in farm animals and people who work closely with poultry and dairy cows. 
• Distributing protective gear to dairy farms and workers who have contact with infected dairy cows or raw milk to reduce the risk of getting bird flu. 
• Helping ensure individuals with symptoms of or exposure to bird flu have access to testing and treatment. 
• Conducting timely public education efforts to ensure those impacted have information about bird flu. 

How Bird Flu Spreads

• Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands after contact with raw milk from an infected cow, or other contaminated items or surfaces. 
• Splashing raw milk from an infected cow into eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Drinking raw milk from a cow infected with bird flu virus. 

More Resources

• For the latest information on the state’s bird flu response, visit CDPH’s Bird Flu webpage and CDFA’s H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock site. 
• For information on the national bird flu response, see CDC's Bird Flu Response Update. 
• For work-related questions or complaints related to bird flu, contact the Cal/OSHA Call Center in English or Spanish at 1-833-579-0927. Employers can contact the California Occupational Health and Safety Division at 800-963-9424 for a free consultation to strengthen their illness and injury safety program. 
• Farmers should contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s bird flu hotline at 866-922-2473 if they suspect their animals are infected with bird flu.
• https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR24-044.aspx

 

 

[niman]

Raw Farm's raw milk is set to be removed from stores. ((Tomas Ovalle / For The Times))© (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times)

After two limited recalls, all raw milk and cream from a Fresno-based dairy farm must be removed from store shelves. The cows at Raw Farm are infected with H5N1 bird flu, state officials say.

The recall, which is voluntary, encompasses all milk and cream products not included in the recalls announced last month, officials said in a statement Tuesday night.

State officials quarantined the Raw Farm dairy herds — which are in Fresno and outside Hanford — Thursday and suspended future sales.

This new recall is meant to remove all products remaining on store shelves.

Public health officials identified the H5N1 virus in retail raw milk samples on Nov. 21 and Nov. 27. Further testing of Raw Farm's bulk milk storage and bottling facility showed more of the virus.

The recall applies only to raw whole milk and cream. However, the state is urging consumers to avoid other raw milk products, including cheese and kefir, as well as raw milk pet food products, including "raw milk pet food topper" and "pet food kefir."

The state's Department of Food and Agriculture has placed the farm under quarantine and has suspended distribution of any raw milk product produced on or after Nov. 27.

No human bird flu cases have yet been associated with raw milk products from Raw Farm.

 

Related video: After raw milk operation suspended, CA farm works with health officials (KCRA Sacramento)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/all-raw-milk-from-fresno-dairy-farm-will-be-cleared-from-store-shelves-cows-have-bird-flu/ar-AA1vfBEp

[niman]

Three days after his first recall, tests found genetic fragments of bird flu (not the virus itself) in a second batch of raw milk from his farm delivered to Erewhon and Sprouts Farmers Market. By Monday, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced that all Raw Farm operations would be “under quarantine.”

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/how-raw-milk-went-from-hippie-to-maga.html

[niman]

Sales of raw milk halted by state due to bird flu virus contamination

Raw Farm CEO calls the broad recall ‘a political issue’ after milk products are pulled from shelves

Fernando Hernandez runs milking machines on cows at the Raw Farm USA dairy in Fresno County on Friday, June 14, 2024. (Craig Kohlruss/Fresno Bee/TNS)

By Lisa Krieger | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group

UPDATED: December 7, 2024 at 8:47 AM PST

Worried that a drink of infected raw milk could cause the H5N1 bird flu virus to jump to people, state health officials have ordered that all raw milk and cream from a Fresno-based dairy farm be pulled from store shelves.

Consumers should return any purchased milk to the store where it was bought, they add.

“Californians are strongly encouraged not to consume any raw milk or cream products in their possession or still on store shelves,” the California Department of Public Health said in a statement released Monday night. Milk that is pasteurized, which kills the virus and other pathogens, remains safe to drink.

Milk products from Raw Farm, the state’s leading raw milk producer, tested positive for bird flu at both retail and dairy storage and bottling sites in recent days, officials said.

This is a broader recall than what was announced last week, following the discovery of contaminated Raw Farm product at Santa Clara County retail stores from two specific lots of milk. The Santa Clara County Department of Public Health said it was unable to authorize the release of the names of the stores.

As the disease investigation continues, Raw Farm is cooperating fully with CDPH and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

But Raw Food CEO Mark McAfee — who said he has been asked to apply for a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory position in the incoming Trump administration — called the recall and quarantine “a political issue. There are no food safety issues with our products,” he wrote on the company’s website.

“We are working towards resolving this political issue while being cooperative with our government regulatory agencies,” he wrote. “Our family business has faced many political challenges before and we are resilient.”

No one has been sickened by avian flu after drinking raw milk products from this dairy.

But it’s known that exposure to infected raw milk can cause illness. As the virus has swept through the state’s dairy industry, infecting 493 of the state’s 1,100 operators, an estimated 30 California dairy farm workers have become sick.

“Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness,” according to CDPH. “In addition, touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus may also lead to infection.”

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the virus can remain infectious in raw milk for at least several weeks when kept refrigerated at 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cats consuming infected raw milk from the farms “bulk tanks” have become infected and died, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Subsequent autopsies have revealed severe systemic virus infection in these animals, affecting organs such as the brain and eyes, according to Michael Payne of the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis.

The virus spreads through aerosol particles and contaminated milking equipment. While most affected animals recover with supportive treatment, an estimated 10% to 15% of cows die, according to Western United Dairies CEO Anja Raudabaugh. Many never return to their prior productivity.

Currently, the virus only targets the cells of animals. But it’s just a mutation or two away from being able to target the cells of people, virologists say. As it spreads, there’s a greater chance that a mutation will emerge.

The virus seems to target the cells of a cow’s udder. This may explain why younger cows and beef cattle have been unaffected.

Following the CDPH investigation, Raw Farm is quarantined for more than two months, meaning that it is not allowed to move any cattle off the property or sell any brand of its raw milk products.

McAfee is allowed to sell milk from his 1,800-cow dairy to a processor who will pasteurize it and use it in different products, including milk or cheese.

According to CDFA rules, if there are no more sick cows within 60 days, it will begin testing the milk again. Before its milk can be released, the dairy must test negative in three tests, with seven days between tests.

Raw milk is considered so unsafe that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibits interstate sales.

But individual states still control raw milk sales within their borders — and California is one of 12 states that allow its purchase in retail stores.

Raw Farm has been linked to a plethora of other outbreaks of pathogens unrelated to the bird flu virus, including the bacteria Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter.  According to recent litigation filed by Seattle-based attorney Bill Marler, victims of a Salmonella outbreak between September 2023 to March 2024 include at least six residents of Alameda County, five residents of Contra Costa County and five residents of Santa Clara County.

Rather than banning raw milk, California relies on advertising restrictions and warning labels to inform consumers of risk.

If the state or federal government finds that a food company is egregious in its safety or sanitation practices, said UC Davis’s Payne, it could be forced to cease operations until it implements programs that prove it is in compliance.

 

Originally Published: December 7, 2024 at 8:46 AM PST

https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2024/12/07/sales-of-raw-milk-halted-by-state-due-to-bird-flu-virus-contamination/