WASHINGTON — As federal agencies and researchers continue to study the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among dairy cattle, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soon will begin sampling raw cow’s milk from milk storage silos at dairy processing facilities.

FDA invited states to participate in the study, which will commence Oct. 28 and generate data to help understand the prevalence of HPAI A H5N1 in bulk Grade “A” raw cow’s milk that is received by dairy processing facilities prior to the pasteurization process.

The agency said the double-blinded silo study will occur over the course of a six-week period and it is designed only for data gathering – “with no intent or means of traceback or trace forward.”

Once the double-blinded samples are gathered, they will be sent in for analysis at the US Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

FDA emphasized that neither participating nor non-participating states or facilities will be identified as part of the project. Regarding the voluntary nature of participation, FDA stated “it is hoped that states will want to contribute to this important project.”

Of course, as noted by FDA, a milk sampling program already exists within the regulatory framework of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and Grade “A” milk program.

As has been the case throughout the outbreak among dairy cattle herds, FDA continued to reiterate that the milk safety system and pasteurization effectively eliminate the presence of infectious H5N1 virus in dairy milk, making the milk supply safe for consumption among consumers.