The FDA initiates sampling of aged raw milk cheese from cows to detect H5N1 bird flu, collaborating with USDA and CDC. They plan to test 300 samples, and take necessary follow-up actions, including possible recalls, if the cheese tests positive for the virus. Results will be publicly released.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun a domestic sampling assignment to collect and test aged raw milk cheese from cows for bird flu. On Monday (Dec. 7), the FDA said they will collect samples toward the end of this month and wrap them by the end of March to see if viable
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(H5N1) virus is present in the cheese.
They will take follow-up action as needed if they find contaminated products to protect consumers.
The FDA has taken this action owing to the outbreak of H5N1 in multiple states. The FDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners to investigate and address the outbreak affecting poultry, dairy cows, and people across the United States.
Raw milk cheese is made with unpasteurized milk. In the United States cheese allowed to be made from raw milk must be aged for a minimum of 60 days to mitigate the risk from any pathogens, if present.
The FDA will collect 300 samples of raw cow’s milk cheese aged at least 60 days, and each sample will have two 100-gram packages and label details. They will collect samples Monday to Friday, during business hours.
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The samples will be tested using a PCR test first, and if the sample indicates H5N1 genetic material, a viability test will be carried out. If the product tests positive for the viable virus, the organization will take follow-up action to protect the consumers. “Any samples that test positive for viable virus will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This means that depending on the findings, the FDA will consider next steps, which may include actions needed to address contaminated products, such as a recall, follow-up inspection, or other possible responses to protect public health. The FDA will also notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and public health officials in the relevant state(s) of the positive test result,” the FDA said in a release. They are also planning to make the findings public on FDA.gov once all the testing and analysis are complete.
(Pic courtesy: iStock)
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
