In today’s fast-changing world, food safety remains a top priority for families and the people who produce their food. For the dairy community, nothing matters more than delivering milk and dairy foods that are wholesome, nutritious and—above all—safe. With recent headlines about animal diseases like avian influenza making waves, you might be wondering, “How safe are the dairy foods in my fridge?” Let’s take a closer look at the robust safety measures in place and what they mean for you and your family.
Dairy Safety: A Foundation Built on Trust
Dairy farmers across the United States have a deep-rooted commitment to the health of their herds and the well-being of the people they feed. Their dedication is backed by generations of experience and a strict network of science-based safeguards designed to protect the milk supply at every step—from farm to table.
While concerns about animal illnesses are valid, it’s important to understand that the dairy industry operates under some of the most rigorous safety standards in the world. These protections are continually strengthened as new challenges and emerging diseases arise.
How Do Dairy Farms Keep Milk Safe?
Biosecurity Measures: Stopping Disease at the Gate
Preventing disease starts on the farm. Dairy farmers employ comprehensive biosecurity protocols that have been proven to reduce the risk of disease introduction and spread. Here’s how they do it:
- Controlled Access: Farms closely regulate who can enter their property.
- Sanitation Practices: Footbaths, handwashing stations, and routine disinfection of equipment and vehicles help eliminate potential pathogens before they reach the herd.
- Quarantine Procedures: New or returning animals are kept separate until they are confirmed healthy, minimizing the risk of introducing new diseases.
- Veterinary Partnership: Regular herd health checks, diagnostic screenings and preventative care plans are carried out under the guidance of licensed veterinarians.
- Vaccination Programs: Cows receive vaccines against common diseases as part of a herd health plan developed with veterinarians, further protecting animal and human health.
These steps not only safeguard the animals but also form the first line of defense for the milk you enjoy.
Milk Testing: Quality Checks from Grass to Glass
Rigorous testing and monitoring continue well beyond the farm gate. At multiple stages, milk is checked for quality, contaminants and overall safety:
- On the Farm: Each batch of milk is tested for antibiotics and other residues before it leaves the farm. Any milk that tests positive is rejected and never enters the food supply.
- During Transport: Milk trucks are sealed and temperature-controlled. Before processing, milk samples are collected and analyzed to ensure compliance with federal and state safety standards.
- At the Plant: Processors conduct additional tests for bacteria, somatic cell counts (an indicator of animal health), and potential contaminants. Milk that fails any test is discarded.
- Regulatory Oversight: Facilities are regularly inspected by local, state, and federal agencies under guidelines like the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), a federal standard that’s governed milk safety for over a century.
What is the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO)?
The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), established in 1924 and updated regularly, sets rigorous requirements for every aspect of milk production and processing in the U.S. It covers:
- Farm design and sanitation
- Milking equipment standards
- Worker hygiene
- Milk transport procedures
- Mandatory laboratory testing
These rules aren’t optional—they are enforced by law and inspected regularly.
Pasteurization: The Critical Safety Step
Pasteurization is one of the greatest public health achievements of the past century. This process involves heating milk to a specified temperature (typically at least 161°F for 15 seconds, or 145°F for 30 minutes) and then rapidly cooling it. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that might be present in raw milk—without affecting milk’s nutritional value or flavor.
Does Pasteurization Protect Against Avian Influenza (H5N1)?
Recent reports of H5N1 avian influenza in some dairy cows raised questions about the potential for milk to carry this virus. The FDA, after extensive testing in 2024, found no live H5N1 virus in any samples of pasteurized milk available to consumers. While fragments of viral RNA (essentially harmless genetic material) have been detected, these are not infectious and pose no risk to human health. The science is clear: pasteurization inactivates the H5N1 virus, as well as many other pathogens.
What Happens to Milk from Sick Cows?
Strict protocols are in place to keep milk from sick animals out of the food supply:
- Milk from Cows Showing Signs of Illness: Never sent to processing plants. Instead, it’s either discarded or, after appropriate treatment, used for feeding calves on the farm—not for human consumption.
- Record Keeping: Farmers document animal health and milk handling, enabling traceability and rapid response if any issues arise.
- Multiple Barriers: Even if a pathogen were present, the combined safeguards—veterinary oversight, milk testing and pasteurization—ensure it cannot reach your table.
Proactive Industry Response to Emerging Diseases
Surveillance & Early Detection
The dairy sector doesn’t wait for problems to occur. Farmers, veterinarians, scientists and public health agencies work together to monitor new threats:
- National Milk Testing Strategy: The USDA, in response to avian influenza, implemented comprehensive testing of raw milk from farms in affected regions. This allows rapid identification and containment of potential outbreaks.
- Rapid Response Plans: Protocols are in place to isolate affected herds, conduct contact tracing, and support farmers with biosecurity upgrades and guidance.
Transparency & Continuous Improvement
Dairy farmers are also consumers. They feed their own families with the same milk they provide to yours. This personal stake drives their commitment to transparency, public health, and ongoing improvement. Industry organizations share findings with regulatory agencies and the public, adapting practices as science advances.
The Risks of Raw Milk
While pasteurized milk is safe, raw (unpasteurized) milk carries real risks. The CDC, FDA and numerous health experts strongly discourage drinking raw milk, as it can harbor bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter and viruses such as H5N1.
- Scientific Studies: Studies to-date show that the H5N1 virus can survive in raw milk for several days, increasing the risk of infection if consumed.
- Recent Recalls: In 2024, a California dairy voluntarily recalled raw milk after tests detected H5N1, reinforcing the risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products.
Pasteurization is a simple, effective way to protect yourself and your family from these threats.
Can Dairy Cows Spread Diseases to Humans?
Zoonotic Disease Risk
“Zoonotic” diseases are illnesses that can jump from animals to people. While these events do happen, the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease from commercially produced dairy products in the U.S. is extremely low.
- Regulatory Safeguards: Strict oversight, animal care standards, and science-based interventions keep milk safe.
- H5N1 and Dairy: To date, there have been only a handful of human cases of H5N1 linked to dairy cows, and these involved direct, close contact with sick animals or contaminated environments. The CDC reports no evidence of human-to-human transmission from milk consumption.
Staying Confident in Your Dairy Choices
When animal health makes the news, it’s normal to feel concerned. But rest assured, U.S. dairy remains among the safest food supplies in the world. Layer upon layer of safety measures—biosecurity, veterinary care, rigorous testing, government oversight and pasteurization—protect your family.
What You Can Do
- Choose pasteurized milk and dairy products. Read labels and ask questions at farmers markets or specialty stores.
- Follow safe food handling guidelines at home: keep dairy products refrigerated, use clean utensils, and observe expiration dates.
- Stay informed by relying on trusted sources like the FDA, CDC, USDA and your state’s department of agriculture.
Final Word: Your Milk is Safe
The American dairy industry is built on trust, hard work, and a scientific commitment to food safety. Thanks to strict on-farm biosecurity, thorough testing, regulatory standards, and the proven effectiveness of pasteurization, you can feel confident that your favorite dairy foods are safe, healthy, and nutritious. Enjoy your milk, cheese, yogurt, and more—knowing that the dairy community is dedicated to your family’s well-being, now and always.
If you’d like to know more about how the dairy community works every day to keep your food safe, don’t hesitate to reach out or explore the resources above. Your questions matter—and your safety comes first.
