A former government food safety expert is urging Americans to avoid raw dairy products following news that bird flu has been detected in unpasteurized milk for the first time in California.
The state health department revealed that the H5N1 virus was found in a batch of whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy Raw Farm and an urgent recall was issued.
Dr. Darin Detwiler, a former advisor to the FDA and USDA, told DailyMail.com that 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 kills disease-causing germs by heating the milk to a high enough temperature.
While sales have been banned or restricted for decades for health reasons, they have benefited in recent years from a growing demand for organic products, with at least 4.4 percent of Americans (nearly 11 million people) trying raw milk every year.
Dr. Detwiler also warns that people should be more careful with their turkeys this Thanksgiving due to the outbreak of bird flu in poultry and avoid desserts, salad dressings and other products that contain raw eggs.
According to the Department of Agriculture, more than 300,000 turkeys have been infected with bird flu so far this month.
And since 2022, the disease has infected nearly 7 million commercial and backyard chickens in the United States.
Dr. Darin Detwiler, former advisor to the FDA and USDA, urges people to be careful as bird flu spreads.
The virus was detected in unpasteurized commercial milk for the first time in California.
Dr. Detwiler said it is “important to avoid cross-contamination by ensuring that raw poultry or poultry products do not come into contact with dairy products in the refrigerator 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 high risk of foodborne illnesses that the high-temperature pasteurization process helps eliminate.
The FDA’s long-standing recommendation regarding the consumption of raw milk is that it is considered a “high-risk food” due to these factors.
However, the government agency notes that ‘based on the limited research and information available, we do not know at this time whether (bird flu) can be transmitted to humans through consumption of raw milk and products made with raw milk from infected cows. ‘.
While research into this link continues, Dr. Detwiler advises consuming only pasteurized dairy products.
Similarly, the CDC warns that “unpasteurized (raw) milk and products made with 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 that they pose 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 warn against eating eggs with runny yolks, as they are undercooked and could increase the risk of contracting bird flu.
He adds: “Until the bird flu crisis is under control, it is advisable to avoid dishes containing raw or lightly cooked eggs.”
Salad dressings are also a risk, so if you’re ordering out, the safest options are a simple olive oil or vinaigrette.
As for poultry like turkey and chicken, the consumer food safety advocate says it’s important to make sure they’ve been handled properly before purchasing and that the packaging is intact.
While bird flu doesn’t directly affect red meat, the Boston-based professor also notes that barbecue pits “are not safe areas and there may be cross-contamination risks in mixed-use kitchens that handle poultry.”
He adds: ‘Restaurants that serve both poultry and beef should be examined for their food safety practices.
“If you dine out, make sure the restaurant follows strict food safety protocols.”
To check a restaurant’s food safety rating in the US, inspection scores and reports can usually be accessed through local health department websites.
For those looking to be extra careful, Dr. Detwiler says cutting out dairy and meat is easier than ever with “many products to choose from.”
“Given that there have been infections among dairy workers, it is worth considering alternatives such as plant-based milks and cheeses,” said Dr. Detwiler, who previously served on the USDA’s National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection.
“You can also stock up on plant-based salad dressings.”
The state health department revealed that the H5N1 virus was found in a batch of whole raw milk sold by Fresno-based dairy Raw Farm and an urgent recall was issued.
In terms of cooking turkeys, he says that “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 devastated by the spread of bird flu.
An important aspect of managing bird flu outbreaks, says Dr. Detwiler, is the depopulation of infected flocks.
Fifty-five human cases of H5 bird flu have been reported in the US this year, 29 of them in California.
Last week, the CDC confirmed a human infection with bird flu in a child in California.
This is the first reported H5 avian influenza virus infection in a child in the US.
Like other human cases among adults, the child reportedly experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals.
Low levels of viral material were detected in the initial sample collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu, but positive for other common respiratory viruses.
The boy is said to be recovering from his illness.
During the CDPH investigation, the child’s family members reported having similar symptoms.
“Millions of chickens and turkeys are slaughtered during outbreaks, and it takes time to repopulate these farms,” says food safety expert Dr. Detwiler.
While they tested negative for bird flu, some family members tested positive for the same common respiratory viruses as the child.
Contact tracing continues, but there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1 bird flu from this child to others.
To date, no human-to-human transmission has been identified associated with any of the H5N1 avian flu cases reported in the US.
An investigation by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) into the possible source of the child’s exposure to H5N1 remains ongoing.