Concerned about what’s in your milk? Discover how the FDA found traces of avian influenza virus in 20% of commercial milk samples. Stay informed, stay safe.
Could you imagine that about one in five samples of commercial milk in the United States tested positive for traces of avian influenza? That’s what a national survey found, with a higher proportion of these samples coming from areas with infected herds, according to a report by Reuters citing the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday.
Now, before you start worrying, remember that there is no evidence that the milk poses a danger or that a live virus is present, as the regulator emphasized. As a matter of fact, the FDA announced late on Thursday that more testing is planned to ascertain if the full pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious.
“The agency specified earlier this week that if the milk is heated to a particular temperature, it remains safe for human consumption as this process effectively kills harmful bacteria and viruses.”
Eight states in the US have confirmed cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle according to the US Department of Agriculture. Yet, of all the people potentially exposed, only a Texas farm worker has been confirmed to have contracted bird flu. The patient’s only symptom was eye inflammation, according to the state’s health department.
So, while the presence of the virus in milk samples certainly merits attention and investigation, it’s notable that the implications for public health appear to be limited at this stage. The FDA reminds that the usual safety measures and protocols still stand – a simple heat treatment can ensure milk continues to nourish us without posing a risk.
