TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey authorities are urging caution regarding raw milk consumption due to the ongoing H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) highlight the absence of the virus in the state’s dairy cows, contrasting with some other states.
Raw milk, which comes from cows, sheep, and goats without undergoing pasteurization, harbors pathogens that can lead to severe illnesses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration assures that the commercial milk supply remains safe due to mandatory pasteurization, which effectively eliminates harmful germs.
Dr. Kaitlan Baston, New Jersey’s Health Commissioner, emphasized that raw milk poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Pasteurization is critical for removing pathogens, including influenza viruses.
Additionally, there are risks associated with feeding pets raw milk. Reports from Texas indicate fatalities among cats that consumed raw milk from cows affected by the H5N1 bird flu. Ed Wengryn, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, advises against the use of raw milk as pet food, citing concerns over national milk distribution and potential virus exposure.
The state mandates that only milk from healthy animals be processed for human consumption, with any milk from affected animals being diverted or destroyed to prevent it from entering the food supply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend consuming only pasteurized dairy products, maintaining them at 40°F or colder, and disposing of expired food.
New Jersey continues to monitor the H5N1 situation closely, in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, to safeguard public and animal health.