**Bird Flu Detected in Raw Milk Sold in California, Public Warned Against Consumption**

Californians have been cautioned against drinking raw milk after bird flu was detected in a batch sold in local stores. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported the discovery on Sunday, advising the public to steer clear of the affected product.

The contamination was found in a batch of whole raw milk marketed under the brand name Raw Farm, LLC. This batch has a "Best By" date of November 27 and was distributed at various retail locations. Following the CDPH's announcement, Raw Farm, LLC promptly initiated a voluntary recall of the tainted batch.

Despite the severity of the alert, there have been no reported illnesses or cases of bird flu linked to this batch of milk. Nevertheless, the CDPH emphasized caution due to the spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and occasional human cases. Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk does not undergo the heating process designed to eliminate harmful pathogens, rendering it riskier for consumption.

Public health officials reiterated the dangers associated with consuming raw milk, particularly for vulnerable groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted that pasteurization has significantly reduced milk-borne illnesses since the early 1900s. The CDPH noted outbreaks of several bacteria, including Salmonella, Listeria, toxin-producing E. coli, Brucella, and Campylobacter, tied to raw dairy products.

Celebrity endorsements of raw milk add a layer of complexity to public messaging. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., designated by president-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow have both expressed support for raw milk consumption. Paltrow, in particular, mentioned using Raw Farm's raw cream in her coffee.

The bird flu virus was initially detected by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Laboratory through routine testing of retail-purchased raw milk. The results were confirmed by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. Subsequent testing by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) at Raw Farm's two locations yielded negative results for the virus. As a precaution, ongoing testing at raw milk banks will occur twice weekly.

In response to the findings, Raw Farm issued a statement asserting that all internal and official tests by CDFA have returned negative for bird flu, and no illnesses have been reported.

The CDPH warned that exposure to raw milk contaminated with bird flu could lead to illness, specifically through ingestion or inhalation. Additionally, touching one's face after handling the raw milk could pose an infection risk.

Since early October, California has seen 29 confirmed human cases of bird flu, primarily involving individuals who had direct contact with infected cows. These cases reported mild symptoms, with no instances requiring hospitalization. Notably, there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission of bird flu within the state or the United States.