California Recalls Raw Milk Sold by Valley Milk Simply Bottled Due to Bird Flu Virus
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has issued a statewide recall of raw milk products produced and packaged by Valley Milk Simply Bottled and Desi Milk after H5N1 bird flu virus was found in samples from a bulk tank at the company’s dairy farm.
The recall affects all Valley Milk and Desi Milk raw cow milk in quarter, half-gallon or gallon jugs marked with dates between December 23 and December 30. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, but the department is urging consumers not to use the products and retailers to pull them from shelves.
The company, based in Modesto, California, has not responded to requests for comment. Raw milk and cream from another California dairy, Raw Farm, were recalled in early December after bird flu virus was found in products from store shelves, dairy stores, and bottling sites.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a warning advising residents not to consume raw milk products or feed them to their pets. Pet cats who consumed recalled raw milk recently became sick and died, and people who had contact with the cats are being monitored for symptoms and offered antiviral medications.
Raw dairy products have not undergone pasteurization, which kills harmful germs such as bird flu virus, listeria, salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These pathogens can make anyone sick, but children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to become ill.
At least 10 illnesses have been reported in people who drank raw milk, according to the California Department of Public Health, none of which were linked to bird flu.