The California Department of Public Health is recalling raw milk, raw nonfat milk, and raw cream produced by Claravale Farm of San Benito County. This farm was the source of a Campylobacter outbreak in 2012 that sickened at least 22 people. Public health officials are also investigating reported clusters of Campylobacter illness in the area.
A statewide recall has been issued and a quarantine order was issued by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. A confirmed detection of Campylobacter bacteria was found in raw milk and raw cream collected from the farm. Consumers are urged to throw away any of this farm’s milk products in their refrigerators that have code dates of “MAR 28” and earlier. Discard in sealed containers so other people and animals can’t drink it.
The samples were collected and tested as part of an investigation into illnesses that may be associated with Claravale Farm raw milk. No illnesses have been definitively attributed to the products at this time.
Update 9/9/15: Claravale has informed Food Poisoning Bulletin that all tests for Campylobacter on their product have come back negative. This does not mean, however, that the bacteria wasn’t in the raw milk. It just means that testing did not find it. Bacteria can form into microscopic clumps in liquid that testing will not find.
Symptoms of a Campylobacter infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Illnesses occur within 2 to 5 days after exposure and lasts for about a week. Most people recover completely, but serious complications, include Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause paralysis, can occur. And for people in high risk groups, including children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, hospitalization for a life-threatening infection may be necessary.
If you drank any raw milk, raw nonfat milk, and/or raw cream from Claravale Farm, monitor yourself for these symptoms. If you do get sick, see your doctor immediately.
