Raw Milk Recalled As Fears Of Bird Flu In Humans Grow: Recall Roundup

A raw milk recall in California highlights growing concerns nationwide about an outbreak of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, and its spread to humans. Public health officials say the outbreak has sickened 55 people, including several dairy and poultry workers in contact with infected cows and birds, but also a child in California.

Also in recent recalls, a massive cucumber recall affects produce that may have been in Americans’ refrigerators over Thanksgiving has been expanded because the vegetables may be contaminated with salmonella. People who are shopping online for the holidays should check their wish lists for recalled gadgets that can start house fires, and about 1.1 million oven mitts sold on the QVC shopping channel were recalled because they don’t adequately protect against burns.

Sources for this report are the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Patch reporting.

Raw Milk Recalled To Protect Against Bird Flu

Following multiple recent detections of the bird flu virus in a Central California company’s milk and dairy products, public health authorities called for an expanded voluntary recall of its products.

Wednesday’s expanded recall ensured that all sizes of milk and cream produced by Fresno-based Raw Farms LLC between Nov. 9 and Nov. 27 would be pulled from retail shelves. The affected lot numbers are 20241109 through 20241127, which includes the two lots recalled last week (Nov. 27 and Nov. 24).

“Customers should immediately return any remaining product to the retail point of purchase,” the California Department of Health said.

In addition to the statewide voluntary recall, the California Department of Food and Alcohol placed the farm under quarantine, effectively suspending any new distribution of its raw milk, cream, kefir, butter or cheese products produced on or after Nov. 27.

Drinking or accidentally inhaling raw milk containing bird flu virus may lead to illness, state officials said. Touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands after touching raw milk with bird flu virus can also lead to infection.

The recall is tied to multiple human cases of bird flu, including the first child to contract the virus.

• Related: 1st Child Sickened With Bird Flu: 5 Things To Know

Salmonella Cucumber Recall Expands

More cucumbers were recalled nationwide this past week over fears they could be contaminated with Salmonella. This comes just days after a widespread cucumber recall was issued in 26 states.

Baloian Farms of Arizona Co., Inc. announced the recall of all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “Pamela” brand.

• Related: Cucumbers Sold In 26 States Recalled Over Salmonella Fears

The latest recalled cucumbers were sold from mid-October through Nov. 26, and were shipped to food service and retail customers in California, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Colorado, Kansas, New York, Massachusetts, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Alaska, the FDA said. The agency added the cucumbers may be located in states other than those listed.

Puppy Chow May Have Salmonella Bacteria

Statesville, North Carolina-based Blue Ridge Beef has recalled 9,600 pounds of its 2-poundlog of Puppy Mix because it is contaminated with salmonella, according to a recall notice on the FDA website. The problem was discovered when a Virginia customer’s litter of puppies became ill and reported it to the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Affected products were distributed in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Lot numbers #08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25 and UPC 854298001696 are stamped in the clips on the end of the chubs/bags.

The puppy mix poses a threat to both the animals who eat it and the humans, especially if they haven’t thoroughly washed their hands after handling the product, the FDA said.

Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. People whose pets consumed the recalled product and have such symptoms should contact their veterinarian.

1.1M QVC Oven Mitts Recalled; Linked To Burns

QVC has recalled about 1.1 million pairs of oven gloves that don’t adequately protect against burns, according to a recall notice on the CPSC site. The shopping channel and e-retailer said it has received 162 reports from consumers that the oven mitts don’t protect against heat, including 92 people who said they had sustained minor burns.

The gloves were sold on both televised shows and QVC’s ecommerce site from August 2018 to August 2024 for between $4 and $13 a pair or in bundled sets with other kitchen items for between $14 and $26 per set.

QVC will provide a full refund. Customers may contact the company at 888-770-7119 from 8;:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at ovengloves@realtimeresults.net, or online.

Check Your Gift List For These Recalls

The CPSC website lists several recalled products that may be on wish lists this Christmas:

Belkin Portable Wireless Battery Chargers For Smart Watches, sold on Amazon and other websites: About 4,000 of the chargers were recalled after the power bank caught fire, resulting in a house fire causing property damage.

Anker Soundcore Lithium-Ion Battery Powered Bluetooth Speakers, sold exclusively on Amazon: About 69,000 of the speakers were recalled after the manufacturer received 33 reports that the lithium batteries inside the speakers overheated, sometimes causing smoking and small fires, and resulting in one minor burn.

Academy Sports Outdoors Recalls Redfield Gun Fireproof Safes, sold in stores and online: About 6,100 of the 12- and 18-gun safes have been recalled because the mechanical internal locking plates can fail to align, allowing access to unauthorized users and “posing a serious injury hazard and risk of death.” No incidents have been reported.