The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urges residents to avoid drinking raw milk after Raw Farm LLC issued a voluntary recall when the bird flu virus was detected in a retail sample.
The voluntary recall was issued for all quart and half gallon-sized milk products produced on Nov. 9 with an expiration date of Nov. 27. The batch’s lot ID is 20241109.
The product was sold at stores across Los Angeles County, including:
- Back Door Bakery: 8349 Foothill Blvd in Sunland
- Eataly: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles
- Erewhon Market: 475 S. Lake Ave. in Pasadena
- Erewhon Market: 26767 Agoura Road in Calabasas
- Erewhon Market: 4121 Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles
- Erewhon Market: 7660 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles
- Lazy Acres: 841 N. Western Ave. in Los Angeles
- Vitamin City: 6247 E. Spring St. in Long Beach
- Vitamin City: 642 W. Arrow Hwy. in San Dimas
- The Whole Wheatery: 44264 10th St. W in Lancaster
When a cow is infected with bird flu, high amounts of the virus can be detected in its milk. However, the Food and Drug Administration says that pasteurization kills or inactivates the virus.
Raw milk, on the other hand, is not pasteurized. “Raw milk can be contaminated with harmful germs that can make you very sick,” the CDC says on its website. Consumers who drink or “accidentally” inhale raw milk containing the avian influenza virus may be at risk for illness, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The CDPH will notify retailers to remove the affected raw milk from their shelves. Health inspectors in L.A. County will be visiting retail establishments where this product was sold to ensure it is no longer available, according to Public Health.
Additional retailers may be confirmed as the investigation continues.
No illnesses have been reported in L.A. County concerning the voluntary recall.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans include:
- Eye redness or discharge
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Trouble breathing
- Fever
Anyone who has consumed these specific products and is experiencing these symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department.