As part of its One Health approach, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada, is actively monitoring dairy cattle across the country for signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). These proactive measures help ensure both animal and public healthwhile maintaining confidence in Canada’s dairy supply.
Milk Safety: Pasteurization Protects Consumers
Consumers can be assured that milk and dairy products sold in Canada remain safe. Pasteurization—required for all commercial milk—effectively eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses, including HPAI. This ensures that milk and dairy products continue to be safe for consumption.
Retail Milk Testing: No HPAI Detected
To further validate milk safety, CFIA laboratories have been conducting ongoing nationwide testing of retail milk. As of September 5, 2024, 1,211 retail milk samples have been tested across Canada, and all results were negative for HPAI.
| Region | Samples Tested | HPAI Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Provinces | 302 | None |
| Ontario | 307 | None |
| Quebec | 302 | None |
| Western Provinces | 300 | None |
Raw Milk Testing at Processing Plants: No Signs of HPAI
In addition to retail testing, CFIA has tested 2,443 samples of raw (unpasteurized) milk collected from processing plants across Canada as of February 28, 2025. No traces of HPAI were found in any samples.
| Region | Samples Tested | HPAI Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Provinces | 187 | None |
| Ontario | 646 | None |
| Quebec | 867 | None |
| Western Provinces | 743 | None |
Pasteurization Study Confirms Effectiveness Against HPAI
To reinforce consumer confidence, Health Canada, in collaboration with CFIA, conducted a study in May and June 2024 to evaluate pasteurization’s effectiveness against HPAI in milk. The results aligned with global research, confirming that pasteurization successfully inactivates the virus, further ensuring the safety of commercial dairy products.
For more information, visit Health Canada’s HPAI and Food Safety page.
Monitoring and Reporting HPAI in Dairy Cattle
HPAI is classified as a reportable disease in Canada, meaning any suspected cases must be immediately reported to the CFIA. Currently, no cases of HPAI have been detected in Canadian dairy cattle.
To learn more about disease monitoring and biosecurity measures in livestock, visit this CFIA resource.
Regulations for HPAI Testing in Non-CFIA Labs
Any independent laboratories conducting HPAI testing or research must comply with strict biosafety and reporting requirements established by CFIA and PHAC.
If a non-CFIA lab detects avian influenza virus fragments or antibodies in animal or milk samples, they must notify CFIA immediately.
For details, refer to the Biosafety Advisory: Avian Influenza A(H5N1) (June 28, 2024).
