No. In FDA- and New York State-funded Cornell research, viable H5N1 bird flu virus survived in the tested raw milk cheese through and beyond 60 days of aging. That means aging alone cannot be relied on to eliminate the virus; it does not mean every aged raw milk cheese contains it. FDA and CDC recommend choosing pasteurized dairy.
What the 60-day cheese study found
The Cornell research, described by the FDA, found viable H5N1 in non-heat-treated raw milk cheese through and beyond 60 days of aging. “Viable” means the virus remained capable of replication; this is different from detecting viral genetic material alone. The result shows that aging was not a reliable kill step under the conditions tested.
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The study did not represent every commercial cheese-making process. It therefore cannot establish that all aged raw milk cheese contains infectious virus—or that every production method leaves virus behind. Its practical implication is narrower: a 60-day aging period is not, by itself, proof that H5N1 has been eliminated. FDA summary of the research and surveillance.
What FDA retail testing does—and does not—show
FDA has reported that its retail testing to date had not detected infectious H5N1 in aged raw milk cheese intended for retail. The agency also said it was not aware of illnesses from eating aged raw milk cheese. These surveillance findings are reassuring about the products sampled, but they do not contradict the experimental finding that viable virus survived in the tested research cheese. Nor do they prove that every retail product is virus-free.
#1 Best Overall
- 8 oz Organic Valley Grassmilk Raw Organic Cheddar Cheese block
- Aged for a minimum of 60 days to develop flower petal top-notes and a complex, buttery finish
- Cheddar that melts beautifully and brings depth to cheese boards, tarts, sandwiches, and cozy comfort recipes, or pair with fresh fruit and crackers
- Made with milk from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows
- Organic Valley is farmer-owned and always organic, which means no GMO's, antibiotics, artificial growth hormones or toxic pesticides are ever used on their farms.
FDA separately reported that 464 pasteurized dairy products sampled to that point tested negative for viable H5N1. That is a result for the agency’s samples, not a claim that every pasteurized dairy product was individually tested. FDA says pasteurization inactivates H5N1 and considers the commercial pasteurized milk supply safe. FDA questions and answers on H5N1 and dairy.
Does eating raw milk cheese cause bird flu in people?
As of its September 8, 2025 update, CDC had not attributed any human H5N1 infections to consuming raw cow’s milk or products made from it. CDC described the theoretical risk from this route as low, while noting that transmission by eating these products was not known and advising people to avoid raw milk products. The foodborne risk remains uncertain.
Rank #2
- 8 oz block of premium Organic Valley Raw Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Raw-crafted process - made with milk gently heated to 155°F for 16 seconds, preserving the character and integrity that define true raw cheddar.
- Enhances cheese boards, artisanal sandwiches, savory tarts, and cozy baked recipes with bold, complex flavor and smooth meltability.
- Made with milk from pasture-raised cows
- Organic Valley is farmer-owned and always organic, which means no GMO's, antibiotics, artificial growth hormones or toxic pesticides are ever used on their farms.
Finding viable virus in a laboratory cheese study is not evidence that someone became infected by eating cheese. Conversely, the absence of attributed cases does not establish that raw milk products are free of risk. CDC information on influenza A viruses in animals and human exposure; CDC food-safety recommendations.
Why 60 days of aging is not a safety guarantee
For certain raw milk cheeses, 60 days is a minimum aging process required for the cheese to enter interstate commerce. It is not a guarantee that every pathogen has been eliminated. H5N1 survival in the tested research cheese is one reason not to treat aging duration alone as equivalent to pasteurization.
Rank #3
- One individually wrapped 8 oz Organic Valley Grassmilk Raw Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese block
- This grass fed cheese is aged for a minimum of eight months to develop complex flavors and a sharp, buttery finish
- This block of grassmilk cheese can be shredded, cubed or sliced
- Enjoy this raw milk cheese as a snack or grate some over salads and tacos
- Our raw milk cheese is made with vegetarian enzymes so everyone can enjoy it
Other pathogens also matter. In a 2025 report, CDC described a Salmonella outbreak linked to raw milk in which the outbreak strain was detected in raw milk cheese aged 60 days. CDC reported 171 cases across California and four other states; 70% of identified cases were among people younger than 18. This was a Salmonella outbreak, not an H5N1 outbreak, but it illustrates that aging does not remove every raw-milk pathogen risk. CDC report on the 2025 Salmonella outbreak.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose cheese if you want to avoid raw-milk exposure
Choose cheese made from pasteurized milk. Check the package for wording such as “made with pasteurized milk” or “made with raw milk.” FDA notes that many cheese labels disclose whether the milk is raw or pasteurized, although federal rules do not expressly require that disclosure in the ingredient list. If the label does not make the milk treatment clear, ask the retailer or manufacturer rather than assuming aging makes the cheese equivalent to a pasteurized product.
Rank #4
- 8 slices of Organic Valley Raw Sharp Cheddar Slices
- Raw-crafted process - made with milk gently heated to 155°F for 16 seconds, preserving the character and integrity that define true raw cheddar.
- Firm, savory cheddar that reflects the richness of the cows' diverse, organic diet. Ideal for layering into rustic sandwiches, pairing with fresh fruit, or enjoying on its own.
- Made with milk from pasture-raised cows
- Organic Valley is farmer-owned and always organic, which means no GMO's, antibiotics, artificial growth hormones or toxic pesticides are ever used on their farms.
- Pasteurized-milk cheese: the milk has undergone pasteurization, which FDA says inactivates H5N1.
- Raw-milk cheese: the milk was not pasteurized. Aging, including aging for 60 days, is not a dependable substitute for pasteurization against H5N1 under the tested conditions.
FDA has also described research conditions in which heating at 54°C (130°F) for at least 15 minutes or 60°C (140°F) for at least 10 seconds inactivated H5N1. Those are study conditions, not household cooking instructions. FDA information on pasteurization and heating research.
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Best Value
- Raw, grass-fed cow’s milk cheese with rich minerality from aging in Kaltbach’s sandstone caves
- Classic nuttiness with tangy fruit notes
- Smooth texture with pronounced crystal crunch
- Smooth texture with pronounced crystal crunch
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