Understanding the Safety of Milk Consumption Amid Bird Flu Concerns
In recent days, concerns have been raised about the safety of milk consumption due to reports of bird flu strains being found in milk. However, according to test results from the Food and Drug Administration, pasteurisation effectively removes these bird flu strains from milk.
The Importance of Pasteurisation
Experts emphasize the importance of pasteurisation in ensuring the safety of dairy products. While pasteurisation eliminates harmful bacteria and pathogens, unpasteurised dairy products like raw milk pose potential risks to consumers.
Expert Recommendations
Dr. Nidhi Kumar advises against consuming unpasteurised dairy products during the avian influenza outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also classify raw milk as one of the riskiest foods due to its potential for contamination with harmful germs.
- Raw milk can lead to various foodborne illnesses
- Consumers may experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramping, and vomiting
Concerns Beyond Bird Flu
Senior epidemiologist Donal Bisanzio highlights that raw milk poses risks beyond bird flu, including contamination with pathogens like salmonella and E. coli.
Ensuring Meat Safety
Amid concerns over bird flu outbreaks, the US government has initiated testing of ground beef samples from retail stores in various states. The US Department of Agriculture will conduct PCR tests to detect viral particles and ensure the safety of the meat supply.
Spokesperson Sarah Little from the Meat Institute supports the additional testing by USDA to protect public health and prevent the spread of animal diseases.
