Avian Flu in Dairy Cows: Renewed Warnings Against Raw Milk and the Debate Over Food Freedom

Fresno, California United States of America
Avian flu detected in dairy cows leading to renewed warnings against raw milk consumption
FDA and CDC advise against consuming raw milk due to potential contamination with pathogens including bird flu
Less than 2% of US adult population drinks raw milk, consumers fall into two camps: those seeking local healthy food and less government regulation
Pasteurization process kills pathogens and makes milk safe for consumption
Raw milk advocates argue for food freedom and access to local healthy food
Avian Flu in Dairy Cows: Renewed Warnings Against Raw Milk and the Debate Over Food Freedom

An outbreak of avian flu among dairy cows has raised concerns about the safety of raw milk. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has renewed warnings against consuming or manufacturing raw milk due to potential contamination with bird flu or other pathogens. However, raw milk enthusiasts continue to argue for food freedom and access to local healthy food.

Pasteurization, a heating process designed to kill pathogens that leaves behind inactive viral particles, is effective in making milk safe for consumption. The H5N1 bird flu virus was first detected in cow's milk samples from a state with known outbreaks of bird flu among its dairy cows. However, more than three-quarters of the milk samples were processed in New England and none produced conclusively positive results.

Louis Pasteur discovered the pasteurization process in the 1860s to keep people safe from foodborne illnesses. In the US, pasteurization has been required for all milk sold across state lines since 1973 and banned interstate sales of raw milk in 1987.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against consuming raw milk due to potential risks of contamination with various pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Salmonella. Avian flu virus particles have been found in milk of infected cows; however, pasteurization inactivates the virus.

Raw milk advocates argue for food freedom and access to local healthy food. Less than 2% of the adult population in the US drinks raw milk, with consumers falling into two camps: those who want access to local healthy food and those who want less government regulation.

Testing for bird flu virus in raw milk is not happening regularly, and data on its presence is hard to come by. Federal health officials urge caution against drinking raw milk due to potential risks of contamination with bird flu or other pathogens.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Is the presence of bird flu virus particles in raw milk a cause for concern?
  • What percentage of raw milk samples have tested positive for bird flu or other pathogens?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird flu virus in milk: Sample bought in Mass. tests positive

The Boston Globe Friday, 17 May 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in a milk sample from a state with known outbreak of bird flu among its dairy cows.
    • More than three-quarters of the milk samples were processed in New England and none produced conclusively positive results.
    • The one positive sample was processed in a state with a known outbreak of bird flu among its dairy cows.
  • Accuracy
    • Live HPAI virus has been detected in raw cow’s milk and colostrum.
    • An outbreak of avian flu in dairy cow herds has been detected in nearly 50 farms across nine states.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

61%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Raw milk enthusiasts uncowed by bird flu risk in dairy

The Los Angeles Times Susanne Rust Sunday, 12 May 2024 10:00
  • Unique Points
    • Government scientists are warning consumers to stay away from raw milk due to high viral load of avian influenza in samples collected from infected cows.
    • Raw milk enthusiasts continue to consume raw milk and claim it provides immune system benefits.
    • Live HPAI virus has been detected in raw cow’s milk and colostrum.
  • Accuracy
    • FDA reaffirmed the effectiveness of pasteurization in destroying Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other viruses, as well as harmful pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms.
    • Avian flu virus particles have been found in milk of infected cows, but pasteurization inactivates the virus. FDA advises against consuming raw milk due to limited information on transmission risks.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author Susanne Rust presents opinions from raw milk enthusiasts and experts who dispute the risks of consuming raw milk, particularly in relation to avian influenza. She does not provide any clear evidence to support her own position on the matter and instead relies on quotes from individuals with potential biases. The article also includes sensational language such as 'dead barn cats' and 'playing Russian roulette with your health'. This creates an emotional response in readers, potentially manipulating them into forming a strong opinion without considering the facts.
    • Government scientists are warning consumers to stay away from raw milk, but raw milk enthusiasts are doubling down on the claimed benefits and safety of their favorite elixir.
    • Coleman, who is an advisor to the Raw Milk Institute, has provided expert testimony on the benefits of raw milk in courtrooms across the nation.
    • Mark McAfee says his phone has been ringing off the hook with customers asking for H5N1 milk because they want immunity from it.
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The author Susanne Rust presents several fallacies in the article. Firstly, she reports the opinions of raw milk enthusiasts without providing any counterargument or evidence to refute their claims. This can be considered an Appeal to Ignorance fallacy as the author relies on unproven assumptions and does not provide any evidence to support her argument against raw milk consumption. Secondly, Susanne Rust quotes Peg Coleman's opinion that the government's warnings are based on 19th-century evidence and have no basis in reality. This is an Appeal to False Authority fallacy as Coleman is not an expert in virology or epidemiology, and her opinion does not hold any more weight than that of a raw milk enthusiast. Lastly, the author reports Mark McAfee's claim that consumers are asking for H5N1 milk because they want immunity from it. This statement can be considered an Inflammatory Rhetoric fallacy as it is intended to provoke strong emotions and fear in the reader without providing any evidence or logical reasoning.
    • But raw milk enthusiasts are doubling down on the claimed benefits and safety of their favorite elixir, and say the government warnings are nothing more than ‘fearmongering.’
    • Coleman, who is an advisor to the Raw Milk Institute, has provided expert testimony on the benefits of the unpasteurized dairy product in courtrooms across the nation.
    • Mark McAfee, founder of Fresno’s Raw Farm and the Raw Milk Institute, said his phone has been ringing off the hook with ‘customers asking for H5N1 milk because they want immunity from it.’
  • Bias (15%)
    The author Susanne Rust presents a biased perspective by quoting raw milk enthusiasts and experts who deny the risks of consuming raw milk during a bird flu outbreak without providing any counter-arguments or evidence from credible sources to support their claims. The author also uses language that depicts the government's warnings as 'fearmongering' and 'opinion factor,' which is an attempt to discredit their concerns.
    • But raw milk enthusiasts are doubling down on the claimed benefits and safety of their favorite elixir, and say the government warnings are nothing more than ‘fearmongering.’
      • Coleman, who is an advisor to the Raw Milk Institute, has provided expert testimony on the benefits of the unpasteurized dairy product in courtrooms across the nation. ‘It’s a fear factor. It’s an opinion factor. It’s based on 19th century evidence. It’s absolutely ridiculous,’ she said.
        • Mark McAfee, founder of Fresno’s Raw Farm and the Raw Milk Institute, said his phone has been ringing off the hook with ‘customers asking for H5N1 milk because they want immunity from it.’
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        98%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        What Is Pasteurization, and How Does It Keep Milk Safe?

        Scientific American Kerry E. Monday, 20 May 2024 11:09
        • Unique Points
          • Pasteurization was invented in the 1860s to keep people safe from foodborne illnesses.
          • Louis Pasteur discovered that heating wine and beer killed organisms causing spoilage, leading to pasteurization process.
          • In the US, pasteurization has been required for all milk sold across state lines since 1973 and banned interstate sales of raw milk in 1987.
          • Pasteurization methods include vat pasteurization, high-temperature short-time pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, and ultra-high-temperature pasteurization.
          • Avian flu virus particles have been found in milk of infected cows, but pasteurization inactivates the virus.
        • Accuracy
          • Avian flu virus particles have been found in milk of infected cows, but pasteurization inactivates the virus. FDA advises against consuming raw milk due to limited information on transmission risks.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        80%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        A bird flu outbreak among dairy cows sparks new warnings about unpasteurized milk

        National Public Radio (NPR) Pien Huang Wednesday, 15 May 2024 00:00
        • Unique Points
          • An outbreak of avian flu in dairy cow herds has been detected in nearly 50 farms across nine states.
          • Health officials advise against consuming raw milk and recommend against its manufacture or sale.
          • Bird flu was first detected in cows in Texas, where it is legal to sell raw milk directly from farms.
          • Raw milk advocates argue for food freedom and access to local healthy food.
          • Less than 2% of the adult population in the US drinks raw milk.
          • People who drink raw milk usually fall into two camps: those who have long wanted access to local healthy food and those who want less government regulation.
          • Testing for bird flu virus in raw milk is not happening regularly, and data on its presence is hard to come by.
          • Federal health officials urge caution against drinking raw milk due to potential risks of contamination with bird flu or other pathogens.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (30%)
          The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about raw milk being potentially dangerous due to bird flu. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying fear and potential danger to the public without providing concrete evidence. Additionally, there is a lack of disclosure regarding sources for some quotes in the article.
          • Now, unpasteurized - or raw - milk is still being sold in many states. And advocates for raw milk say the federal government has always opposed its consumption, so why should they listen now?
          • Health officials say milk that is pasteurized to kill germs is safe to drink, but the Food and Drug Administration has renewed warnings against raw milk.
          • But testing doesn’t seem to be happening regularly, and that data is really hard to come by.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting Don Prater from the FDA stating 'We continue to strongly advise against the consumption of raw milk and recommend that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products.' This is an appeal to authority fallacy because it assumes that just because someone in a position of power or expertise makes a statement, it must be true without question. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when stating 'long-simmering tensions between the federal government and raw milk advocates' and 'resurfaced long-simmering tensions'. This is an attempt to evoke strong emotions in the reader rather than presenting facts objectively.
          • We continue to strongly advise against the consumption of raw milk and recommend that industry does not manufacture or sell raw milk or raw milk products.
          • long-simmering tensions between the federal government and raw milk advocates
          • resurfaced long-simmering tensions
        • Bias (90%)
          The author does not explicitly express bias towards raw milk advocates or against the federal government in this article. However, the tone of some quotes from interviewees and the overall context of the article could be perceived as sympathetic towards raw milk consumers and critical of government regulations. For example, Cheryl Masraum's statement 'Because I think that raw milk is typically a much better quality' could be seen as an assertion that raw milk is superior to pasteurized milk, which goes against the official health recommendation. Additionally, Mark McAfee's statement 'The FDA hates raw milk? Fine. The FDA will take any excuse to blast us any way they can' could be perceived as antagonistic towards the Food and Drug Administration. However, these statements are not made by the author herself but rather reported from interviews with interviewees. Therefore, it is essential to consider the context and intent of these quotes when evaluating bias in this article.
          • Because I think that raw milk is typically a much better quality.
            • The FDA hates raw milk? Fine. The FDA will take any excuse to blast us any way they can.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication