The recall of raw milk in California continues after the detection of bird flu microbes in samples from a local dairy farm.
Fresno’s Raw Farm voluntarily recalled its milk following the first virus contamination case in its dairy on November 21.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture on December 3, 2024 further advised people to forfeit milk purchased between November 9 and 27.
This advisory marks the second such halt in the United States through 2024 since the cross-state recall in April.
So far there haven’t been any human infection but in the past year 31 human cases have ocurred in California. All cases have been only mild ailments with no fatalities.
Out of State Milk
In a briefing to the Post, Raw Farm LLC now says it might order milk from out of state to appease consumers.
The firm however thinks that the current quarantine is a political targeting by those who prefer pasteurized over raw milk.
Pasteurized Safety
Incidentally, people can still sip their milk if it is pasteurized for apparently the virus does not survive heating.
Following the first dairy contamination cases, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2024 had confirmed pasteurized milk as safe.
California’s Milk Largesse
Milk health is a sensitive topic in California for the state remains the center of federal dairy production.
An average year sees the state produce some 41.9 billion pounds of milk, which sells either in liquid or processed fat form. Overall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture back in May 2024 estimated total national dairy production for 2024 at 227.3 billion pounds.
In California’s context, there are hundreds of dairy farms while cheese-making represents 46% of American milk production.
So, as quarantine defaces raw milk in California on account of the flu, it touches an important agricultural sector. This importance is under further highlight below in the statistics section.
California Milk Statistics
With more than 1,400 dairy farms, as of 2022 California is the fairytale dairy capital of the United States. This number may seem high but it is actually a decrease by 94% from its 1950s’ peak at 2,100 dairies. Local dairies rely on a large dairy cow population, which in 2024 is the highest among the states after overtaking Wisconsin’s. Indeed, California’s 1.72 million dairy cows, as of 2022, represent about 1/5th of the total dairy herd of the country.
How economically important is milk production in the Golden State?
Dairy operations gift California some $57.7 billion in yearly revenue each year. They also employ millions of people with a cycle of 180,000 yearly jobs. Furthermore, 33% of all American dairy exports emanate from California.
Is dairy consumption high in California?
According to the California Press Room, on an average year, Californians take 655 pounds of dairy per person per year. Dairy consumption has upped by 22% in the past five decades between 1975 and 2020.
How does California perform in milk product processing?
The Golden State hosts renowned cheeses including the Jack Monterey Cheese, and is the number 1 American butter and ice cream maker. It is also the second biggest yogurt and cheese maker in the country. The state makes 31.2% of American butter, around 105.8 million gallons of ice cream and 442 million pounds of yogurt.