Is unpasteurised, raw milk not safe amid increasing risk of bird flu? Experts say better stay away

In the last few days, reports regarding strains of bird flu found in milk have surfaced raising an alarmabouthow safe is milk for consumption.

According to the tests run by theFood and Drug Administration, pasteurisation helps in removing bird flu strains from the milk. However, that raises concerns about the safety of unpasteurised dairy products like raw milk.

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According to experts, it is best to stay away from unpasteurised dairy products to avoid the risk ofavian influenzawhich has affected an increasing numberofpoultryanddairy cows.

Also Read:FDA finds traces of bird flu in one in five milk samples across the US

Speaking to CBS New York, Dr Nidhi Kumar said, "Do not consume unpasteurised dairy products. I knowthere are people that arereal advocates for it, but this is not the time to do it."

CDC terms raw milk as 'one of riskiest foods'

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention stated that raw milk is "oneof the riskiest foods."

"Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurised to kill harmful bacteria," said the health agency on its website. "Raw milk can be contaminated with harmful germs that can make you very sick," it added.

The CDC said that raw milk can lead to various foodborne illnesses and people can also suffer from diarrhoea, stomach cramping and vomiting.

Senior epidemiologist at non-profit research institute RTI International Donal Bisanzio said, "It's not just about bird flu, it's about salmonella, E. coli (and more pathogens)."

Watch:Gravitas | US: Bird Flu virus found in pasteurized milk, probe results awaited

"A lot of peopletheythink the pasteurisation can reduce, for example, the quality of the milk, but no onereallyhas shown something like that. ... You can have all the nutrients from the (pasteurised) milk," he added.

US collecting ground beef samples for testing in states

The US government collected samples of ground beef from retail stores in states on Monday (April 29) for testing amid the outbreakof bird flu. However, the government has expressed confidence over the safety of the meat supply.

The retail ground beef sampleswill be analysed by the US Department of Agriculture with PCR tests that indicate "whether any viral particles are present," and conduct two other safety studies, as per a statement.

Speaking about the issue, spokesperson for the Meat Institute Sarah Little said, "USDA's additional testing is appropriate to ensure public health is protected and to stop the spread of animal disease."

(With inputs from agencies)