The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected remnants of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus in samples of pasteurized milk. The agency issued a statement on Tuesday, reassuring consumers that the material found is inactivated during the pasteurization process and does not pose a risk to their health. The FDA is continuing to investigate the issue and has stated that, to date, they have not found any evidence to suggest that the commercial milk supply is unsafe.
The detection of the bird flu virus in pasteurized milk comes approximately one month after the virus was identified in dairy cows in at least eight states across the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reported that nearly 33 herds have been affected by the virus to date. The FDA did not specify the number of samples tested or the locations where they were obtained. However, experts have explained that the laboratory test used by the FDA for detection would have detected viral genetic material even after the live virus had been deactivated by the heat treatment involved in pasteurization.
The FDA’s announcement serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing surveillance and safety measures to safeguard the food supply. While the detected material in pasteurized milk is inactivated and does not pose a threat to consumers, the FDA’s continued monitoring and investigations are essential in ensuring the safety of the food supply and protecting public health.
