FDA Declares Commercial Milk Safe Despite Bird Flu Virus Traces

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the commercial milk supply remains safe for consumption, despite the detection of traces of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, also known as bird flu, in some samples of pasteurized milk. The FDA, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other experts, have stated that the presence of the virus in pasteurized milk does not pose a safety concern to consumers, as the pasteurization process is very likely to inactivate the infectious qualities of the virus. "The FDA has been evaluating milk from affected animals, in the processing system, and on store shelves, and is completing a large, representative national sample to understand the extent of the findings," the agency said in a statement.

The virus has been spreading among cow herds across the country since February, with confirmed cases in dairy cattle in at least eight states. While the FDA has detected genetic material from the virus in retail milk, officials and experts say the virus is not infectious or 'alive' due to the pasteurization process. The FDA is using two different testing methods, including a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test and an egg inoculation test, to determine the presence and infectiousness of the virus in milk samples.

Why this matters: The detection of bird flu in the U.S. milk supply raises concerns about the potential spread of the virus to humans and the impact on the dairy industry. While the risk to public health is currently low, the situation highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and safety measures to prevent the further spread of the virus among livestock and to protect consumers.

In response to the outbreak, the USDA has issued a federal order requiring dairy cattle moving between states to be tested for avian flu or any type of influenza A before they can travel. "No dairy cattle positive for avian flu may move between states without conditions specified by the USDA," the agency stated. This measure aims to help authorities better understand the disease and limit the spread of the virus.

To date, only two people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu in connection to the current outbreak, both of whom recovered from mild symptoms. The FDA and the USDA have emphasized that almost 99% of the commercial milk in the U.S. is from Grade 'A' farms following the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) for safety, and the pasteurization process effectively eliminates any pathogens. The agencies advise against consuming raw milk or its derivatives, as they could contain harmful viruses or bacteria.

The FDA expects to have additional test results available in the coming days and weeks, as it continues to study the issue and monitor the situation closely. "The FDA has not found anything that would change its assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe," the agency reiterated. While the detection of the bird flu virus in dairy cattle is a new development, officials stress that existing research suggests pasteurization renders the virus unable to infect humans.

Key Takeaways

• FDA says commercial milk supply is safe despite bird flu virus traces in samples.
• Pasteurization process inactivates the virus, posing no safety concern to consumers.
• USDA requires dairy cattle to be tested for avian flu before interstate movement.
• Only 2 people in the US have been infected with bird flu in the current outbreak.
• FDA continues monitoring the situation and expects more test results in the coming weeks.