FDA may impose measures ‘such as a recall, follow-up inspection or other possible responses to protect public health’

Summary

The FDA has begun testing raw cow’s milk cheese for bird flu using PCR and viability tests.

This follows a December USDA order to collect raw milk samples. The FDA will examine 300 cheese samples aged at least 60 days to assess virus presence, with positive findings possibly leading to recalls or inspections.

Raw milk cheese, made from unpasteurized milk, is considered high-risk by the FDA, as pasteurization kills pathogens, including bird flu.

The U.S. has reported 66 human bird flu cases, mostly mild and linked to contact with infected animals.