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Is Dairy and Meat Safe to Eat During the Bird Flu Outbreak?

Find out which dairy and meat products remain safe to eat and which to avoid amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the U.S.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Sep 24, 2025

Find out which dairy and meat products remain safe to eat and which to avoid amid the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the U.S.

Bird Flu Outbreak: What You Need to Know About Dairy and Meat Safety

Concerns over food safety have risen across the U.S. after recent detections of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1)—commonly referred to as bird flu—in dairy herds and commercial milk supplies. As this outbreak unfolds, understanding which foods remain safe to eat and which to avoid is crucial for consumers.

Overview of Bird Flu and the Food Safety Situation

Since late March, avian influenza A (H5N1) has been detected in 36 dairy herds across nine states, with at least one human testing positive following exposure. This has prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand testing and reassess food safety practices for dairy and meat products.

Recent FDA findings have reassured consumers by confirming the safety of commercial pasteurized dairy products and monitoring the meat supply for potential risks. Understanding the specifics of the virus’s spread, transmission, and the effectiveness of safety protocols is essential to making informed food choices.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, formally known as avian influenza, encompasses a group of influenza A viruses that naturally circulate among birds. The strain prompting recent concerns is H5N1, a subtype that has shown the capacity to infect mammals—and, in rare circumstances, humans.
According to Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, there is no evidence at this time that the H5N1 strain spreads easily from person to person. In the rare instances where it has jumped to humans, such as direct animal contact, it has not resulted in sustained human-to-human transmission.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that the risk to the general public is currently low, though ongoing surveillance is in place to monitor changes in the virus’s behavior.

How Bird Flu Is Contracted

Human cases of avian influenza typically occur in people with direct or close contact with infected poultry or, in recent developments, cattle. The first U.S. human case linked to dairy cattle resulted only in mild symptoms—specifically, eye redness consistent with conjunctivitis—and did not require hospitalization.

Primary route: Close contact with infected birds or animals, particularly in agricultural or farm settings.
Rare transmissions: No widespread human-to-human transmission observed with H5N1.

The CDC and FDA continue to monitor the risk to the population as part of ongoing public health operations.

Foods Safe to Eat During the Bird Flu Outbreak

The latest FDA and USDA testing confirm that many foods remain completely safe to consume. Here are the most important findings:

Pasteurized Milk – Hundreds of samples across 38 states demonstrated that commercial milk does not contain a live virus capable of causing illness. Pasteurization inactivates H5N1, affirming the safety of the supply.
Powdered Infant & Toddler Formulas – No evidence of avian influenza contamination detected during extensive testing of products on retail shelves.
Cottage Cheese & Sour Cream – Pasteurized versions of these dairy products showed no infectious virus and are deemed safe.
Beef – According to Dr. Adalja and FDA/USDA reports, beef is considered completely safe as no viable H5N1 virus was found in commercial beef supplies and cattle surveillance programs are in place.

Table: Safe Food Products During Bird Flu Outbreak

Product	Safety Status	Notes
Pasteurized Milk	Safe	Pasteurization inactivates virus
Cottage Cheese	Safe	Must be pasteurized
Sour Cream	Safe	Must be pasteurized
Powdered Infant/Toddler Formula	Safe	No evidence of contamination
Beef	Safe	Extensive USDA/FDA testing

Foods and Practices to Avoid

While most commercially available dairy and meat products are safe, experts strongly advise avoiding certain foods and practices as the risk associated with them remains unacceptably high.

Raw Milk – Unpasteurized (raw) milk can harbor not only avian influenza but a variety of other dangerous pathogens. Consumption is highly discouraged by both CDC and FDA officials.
Unpasteurized Dairy Products – Products such as raw cheeses, creams, or other untreated milk derivatives may pose a risk of infection and should be avoided, especially during outbreaks.

Why is pasteurization critical?
Pasteurization—heating milk to a specific temperature for a defined time—effectively kills the H5N1 virus and other harmful microbes. Nearly all commercial milk in the U.S. is subjected to this process under the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, making it safe for consumption.

Official Testing and Surveillance Efforts

Federal agencies have stepped up collaborative surveillance and food safety checks to ensure the ongoing protection of the public during the bird flu outbreak:

FDA Milk Testing – 297 retail pasteurized dairy samples from 38 states tested negative for infectious H5N1, reaffirming safety.
Powdered Formula Assessment – No viral contamination detected in infant/toddler formulas after extensive market sampling.
USDA Beef Surveillance – Addition of H5N1 monitoring in the National Residue Program ensures continuous checks for pathogens in cattle meat products.
Public Health Coordination – Agencies coordinate closely to assess new risks as they emerge and update food safety recommendations.

Key Surveillance Highlights

Pasteurization remains proven and effective against H5N1 and other pathogens.
Grade A Milk Safety Programs, covering 99% of U.S. commercial supply, ensure public protection.
Ongoing research and outbreak tracing are continuing to monitor any potential changes in virus transmission or food safety risk.

According to Dr. Sarah Tomlinson of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, even asymptomatic dairy cattle can shed the virus, emphasizing the importance of national surveillance in beef and milk safety programs.

Expert Insights & Recommendations

Dr. Amesh A. Adalja and other public health officials have provided clear guidance during the outbreak. Here’s what experts recommend:

Consumers can confidently eat commercially pasteurized dairy products and cooked beef as extensive testing confirms their safety.
Pasteurization is crucial: never consume raw or unpasteurized dairy.
Stay informed: monitor FDA and CDC updates and follow official recommendations for food safety.
For those working directly with livestock or poultry, observe rigorous biosecurity practices to minimize exposure to potentially infected animals.

Don Prater, acting director at the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, emphasized that new data “affirm the safety of the U.S. commercial milk supply.” The thorough testing and established protocols, including pasteurization, continue to make previously infected dairy products unable to transmit the virus to humans.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is commercial milk safe to drink during the bird flu outbreak?

Yes—commercially sold milk is pasteurized, which effectively kills H5N1 and other pathogens. Multiple tests across dozens of states found no infectious bird flu in retail products.

Q2: Should I avoid cottage cheese, sour cream, or infant formula?

No—pasteurized cottage cheese, sour cream, and powdered infant or toddler formula products have been declared safe by FDA testing.

Q3: What about beef products?

U.S. beef is considered safe to eat. USDA surveillance programs and direct product testing show no viable H5N1 in commercial meat supplies.

Q4: What foods should I avoid?

Avoid raw milk and all unpasteurized dairy products. These can contain not only avian influenza virus but also other dangerous bacteria and pathogens.

Q5: How does pasteurization work?

Pasteurization heats milk to a temperature that kills viruses and bacteria. U.S. commercial milk is almost exclusively pasteurized, adhering to strict safety ordinances.

Q6: What symptoms are linked to bird flu exposure?

Symptoms in humans are rare but have included mild eye redness and conjunctivitis. More severe cases, especially in direct animal contact, are uncommon.

Additional Information and Context

Bird flu H5N1 has long been monitored for its potential to shift and infect mammals. The current outbreak is notable for its detection in cattle herds, prompting broader testing protocols.
Experts reiterate that infection via the gastrointestinal tract is theoretically possible but remains unlikely with properly processed foods.
The primary risk remains in direct animal contact, not commercial food consumption.
Raw milk products are always risky due to possible pathogen load, not just avian influenza.
If you work with livestock, practice enhanced hygiene and avoid cross-contamination between animals and food products.

Conclusion

The ongoing bird flu outbreak has spurred a robust multi-agency response, intensive testing, and public communication to ensure the safety of the American food supply. Pasteurized dairy products and commercial beef remain safe to eat according to the latest data, while raw milk and unpasteurized dairy should be strictly avoided. Staying informed and following expert advice is the best way to protect health during outbreaks.

References

Author

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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