A troubling new development has surfaced in California’s ongoing battle with bird flu, as health officials confirmed the presence of the virus in raw milk from the state’s largest raw dairy producer. The contaminated sample came from Fresno-based Raw Farm, which has now issued a voluntary recall of its products dated November 9, as health agencies scramble to contain potential risks.
The virus, identified as “H5,” was detected in a retail sample collected by the Santa Clara County public health office, part of its intensified surveillance program. The contaminated products, which include quart and half-gallon milk containers, carry the lot ID #20241109 and are set to expire on November 27.
This marks the first instance of Raw Farm’s milk testing positive for bird flu since the company began voluntary testing in April. While no illnesses have been linked to these products yet, the discovery has raised concerns over the safety of raw milk consumption and the broader implications of bird flu in the agricultural sector.
Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, defended the company’s track record, noting this is their first positive test for bird flu. However, Raw Farm has faced scrutiny before: in February, its raw cheddar cheese was linked to an E. coli outbreak, and just last month, its products were tied to a salmonella outbreak that sickened over 165 people.
While only the “H5” component of the virus was detected—without confirmation of the more dangerous H5N1 strain—health officials remain cautious. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, stressed the potential risks, stating that while studies suggest large quantities of infected raw milk might pose a threat, no human cases have been directly tied to such consumption.
“Given that ingestion of raw milk has no credible health benefits, I personally would avoid drinking it,” Nuzzo added, highlighting that raw milk often bypasses the critical safeguards provided by pasteurization.
California has become the epicenter of bird flu in the United States, with 29 cases confirmed statewide, including one in a child—the first youth case in the state. Nearly all other cases have been detected in dairy workers. Alarmingly, the virus has been found in wastewater systems across 24 of California’s 28 counties, including major hubs like San Jose and Palo Alto.
Despite these concerning trends, states nationwide continue to legalize the sale of raw milk products. This push has garnered support from political figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, who has advocated for expanding access to raw milk.
While advocates of raw milk tout it as a symbol of consumer choice and a return to traditional practices, critics argue that its risks outweigh any perceived benefits. Raw Farm’s recurring issues with contamination add fuel to this debate, raising questions about whether health standards are being sacrificed in favor of catering to niche markets.
As California grapples with rising bird flu cases and the complications of raw milk production, the broader conversation about food safety, personal freedom, and public health continues to gain urgency. For now, consumers are advised to remain vigilant and prioritize safety over the allure of “natural” dairy products.
