Pasteurisation has been proven to inactivate the influenza H5N1 virus, rendering pasteurised cow milk safe for consumers. In the USA, almost all (99%) of the commercial milk supply produced on dairy farms complies with the Grade A Milk Safety Program and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, which include measures for ensuring dairy product safety.
No infectious H5N1 virus has been detected in retail pasteurised dairy milk products; however, approximately 20% of retail milk samples contain traces of H5N1 genetic materials.1 The US Food and Drug Administration showed that all 297 samples from its first retail sample survey and all 167 samples from its second retail sample survey tested negative for live H5N1 virus.