FDA Races to Protect Dairy Supply from Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Virus

Photo byKenny EliasononUnsplash

The FDA is ramping up its efforts to safeguard the nation’s dairy supply as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus continues to spread. Commonly known as bird flu, HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can devastate poultry populations. Though it rarely infects humans, recent outbreaks in dairy cattle have raised concerns about the potential impact on food safety.

In response, the FDA is collaborating with leading academic institutions and federal partners to better understand how the H5N1 strain of the virus behaves in dairy products. The goal is to ensure that milk and other dairy items remain safe for consumption while minimizing the threat to both human and animal health.

Since unveiling its research agenda in the summer of 2024, the FDA has been working alongside Cornell University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore various approaches. Some of the key projects underway include:

• Thermal Inactivation Studies: Researchers are testing how different heating and time conditions—beyond the usual pasteurization methods—can kill the H5N1 virus in milk. This research is aimed at evaluating the safety of various dairy processing techniques.
• Viral Inactivation in Cheese Production: In a related study, scientists at Cornell University are examining how H5N1 reacts during the production of raw milk cheeses, aiming to ensure these products meet safety standards.
• H5N1 Viability Testing: The FDA has teamed up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Georgia to assess how long the virus can survive under different conditions in dairy products.
• One Health Interventions: In a bid to combat the spread of H5N1, the FDA is working with researchers to find practical solutions for disposing of contaminated raw milk. In a groundbreaking effort, they are also exploring the potential of genome-edited chickens, developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that could be resistant to avian flu and other viruses.

The FDA reassured the public that the commercial milk supply remains safe, thanks to continuous sampling and testing. As the agency progresses with its research, additional updates are expected in the coming months.