Raw Farm Products Suspended After Bird Flu Detection

By Leah Douglas and Lisa Baertlein

Dec 3 (Reuters) - California has paused distribution of raw milk products from the company Raw Farm after retail testing of two samples of its products detected bird flu, state officials said on Tuesday.

Bird flu has spread among U.S. dairy cattle since March, and has infected nearly 500 herds in California, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Public health officials have warned against consuming raw milk because it can carry pathogens, including bird flu.

"Raw Farm is the largest U.S. raw milk dairy, with 1700 cows producing 70,000 gallons (265,000 liters) of milk weekly," according to owner Mark McAfee.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says pasteurized milk products are safe because the pasteurization process kills the bird flu virus, California officials said.

No people are known to have contracted bird flu from consuming raw milk, but cats have died after drinking it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Raw milk makes up less than 1% of U.S. milk sales," noted Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who mentioned that such items are being suppressed by the FDA.

The California Department of Public Health issued recalls for two lots of Raw Farm products last week after retail testing by officials in Santa Clara county.

"The farm is under quarantine and distribution of its raw milk product is suspended," said Steve Lyle from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

"McAfee said he is being vetted by Kennedy's team for a potential policy position at the FDA."

McAfee expects his distribution will be paused for one to two months, during which time he is sending his milk to be pasteurized and sold under other labels.

Santa Clara is currently the only county in California testing retail milk products for bird flu each week since June.

"The USDA announced in October a national bulk milk testing effort to further contain the spread among dairy cattle."