By Scout Nelson
The recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle, first reported in March 2024 and again on December 2 in California, underlines the critical need to consume pasteurized milk.
This discovery reinforces the safety provided by pasteurization; a process proven to eliminate disease-causing germs effectively.
Pasteurization involves heating milk to high temperatures for a specific period, ensuring harmful pathogens, including HPAI, are destroyed. “Viral fragments detected after pasteurization are harmless; they simply show that the virus is dead and cannot affect human health,” explains a North Dakota State University Extension coordinator.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assures that pasteurized milk retains essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins, while removing health risks. Unpasteurized milk, on the other hand, poses a high risk of contamination from bacterial and viral pathogens, leading to severe illnesses.
Milk safety has significantly improved since pasteurization's introduction. Before 1938, milk and dairy products accounted for 25% of foodborne disease outbreaks. By 2016, this number dropped to less than 1%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To ensure public safety, the FDA’s milk safety program prevents milk from sick cows from entering the food supply chain. This program, coupled with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, makes U.S. milk among the safest worldwide.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently introduced the National Milk Testing Strategy. While some states, including North Dakota, do not mandate raw milk testing, investigations are ongoing. Neighboring states like Minnesota and South Dakota have reported positive cases of HPAI in livestock.
This development highlights the vital role of pasteurization in protecting public health and ensuring the continued safety of the milk supply.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-jesp62
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle