Despite years of warnings about the health risks associated with consuming unpasteurized products during Bird flu, the sales of raw milk seem to be increasing.
According to market research firm NielsenIQ, weekly sales of raw cow’s milk have risen by 21% to 65% compared to the same periods last year since the confirmation of bird flu in U.S. cattle on March 25.
This contradicts the advice given by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who consider raw milk to be one of the riskiest foods to consume.
The CDC states that raw milk can be contaminated with harmful germs that can cause severe illness. Federal officials have reported that at least 42 herds in nine states have cows infected with the type A H5N1 virus.
The virus has been found in high levels in the raw milk of infected cows, although pasteurized milk is considered safe to consume as it kills the virus. The transmission of live virus through raw milk consumption is still unknown.
However, CDC officials have warned that individuals who drink raw milk could potentially become infected if the bird flu virus comes into contact with receptors in the nose, mouth, throat, or if it is inhaled into the lungs.
There is also concern that increased exposure to the virus could lead to mutations that make it more easily transmissible among people. Regulations regarding raw milk vary widely among states, with some allowing retail sales, others permitting sales only at farms, and some allowing consumption only by specific individuals. The NielsenIQ data includes sales from grocery stores and other retail outlets, and raw milk products account for a small fraction of overall sales.
