The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released updates regarding its extensive sampling and testing efforts for retail milk amidst the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 affecting North American dairy cows. Additionally, Health Canada and CFIA have conducted a recent study confirming the effectiveness of pasteurization in eliminating HPAI virus from milk.
As of June 18, 2024, CFIA has collected and analyzed a total of 600 retail milk samples from various regions across Canada. This represents a significant increase from previous testing efforts, underscoring CFIA’s commitment to ensuring the safety of Canada’s dairy products amid public health concerns related to HPAI.
The testing methodology employed by CFIA utilizes a highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test capable of detecting viral fragments of HPAI, even in the absence of infectious virus. Encouragingly, all 600 samples tested negative for HPAI viral fragments.
The findings of CFIA’s ongoing surveillance efforts are complemented by a recent collaborative study between Health Canada and CFIA. This study provides additional assurance to consumers and stakeholders that pasteurization, a critical step in milk processing, effectively inactivates any HPAI virus that may be present in milk.
These developments underscore CFIA’s proactive approach to monitoring and ensuring the safety of Canada’s milk supply chain amidst evolving public health challenges. As the situation continues to be monitored closely, CFIA remains committed to transparent communication and ongoing vigilance to safeguard public health and maintain consumer confidence in dairy products nationwide.