Raw Milk Facility HThe California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has suspended Raw Farm’s raw milk product distribution following the detection of H5N1 bird flu virus in milk samples.
CDFA dairy inspectors collected milk samples from Raw Farm’s bottling facility on November 27, 2024. Laboratory tests conducted on November 28 confirmed the presence of the bird flu virus.
In a statement, Steve Lyle, Director of Public Affairs CDFA stated that all Raw Farm operations are currently under quarantine. This includes herds and bottled products, effectively stopping all raw milk product distribution.
Raw Farm had previously voluntarily recalled two milk batches after the Santa Clara Public Health Department detected H5 virus. The company said that no CDFA-mandated recalls had been issued prior to this suspension.
Raw Farm President Aaron McAfee addressed the situation in an Instagram video, assuring full cooperation with state regulators. He acknowledged potential product shortages and apologized to customers for the inconvenience.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted the broader context of the H5 bird flu outbreak. Of the 57 human cases in the United States, 31 occurred in California, with nearly all cases traced to cattle exposure.
The CDC strongly recommends against consuming unpasteurized milk, warning that raw milk can be contaminated with germs causing serious illness, hospitalization, or death. The agency notes that most nutritional benefits of milk are available through pasteurized products without associated health risks.
Raw Farm CEO Mark McAfee recently said that the transition team for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., picked by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the United States Department of Health and Human Services, had approached him about a potential FDA advisory position on raw milk standards.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with this specific H5 virus detection. The CDFA confirmed that all tested milk remained at the Raw Farm facility and was not released to consumers.
The suspension is another example of ongoing concerns about bird flu transmission in agricultural settings. While the H5N1 virus currently demonstrates limited human-to-human transmission, health authorities remain on high alert about potential risks.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “I strongly encourage consumers to follow FDA and CDC guidelines on the potential dangers of consuming raw milk. Because the milk is not pasteurized, there is serious risk of contamination from a variety of deadly pathogens, including E. coli, listeria, campylobacter, salmonella, and more.”
