Raw Milk | Food Poisoning Bulletin

Raw Milk Sales Increase Government Costs

February 24, 2014 by Linda Larsen Leave a Comment

Raw milk is the source of a Campylobacter outbreak.

Making the sale of raw milk legal in Maryland has prompted the Maryland Department of Legislative Services to conduct a study on the cost of illness investigations and outbreaks. The analysis predicts that sporadic raw milk-linked outbreaks in that state would increase from almost none to 100 to 165 per year if the product becomes legal to sell. Outbreaks, where at least two unrelated individuals become sick with the same strain of bacteria, would increase to two to four per year. Those outbreaks would increase the cost of government by at least $66,000 in FY 2015, up to $95,000 by FY 2019. When an outbreak occurs, local and state public health officials must launch an investigation. These investigations are costly in terms of time and money. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Safety, News Tagged With: Legislation, Raw Milk

Raw Goat’s Milk Recalled for E. coli in WA

February 11, 2014 by Linda Larsen Leave a Comment

The Laughing Goat, a dairy in Roy, Washington state, is recalling its Grade A raw goat's milk because it may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product was sold in pint, quart, and half-gallon plastic containers with green lids. The milk had best-by dates between February 11 and February 19, 2014. The products were sold at the retail level in Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, and King counties. Routine testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found the pathogenic bacteria. It is possible that since tracing an illness back to a specific food product takes time, illnesses may have occurred. If you purchased this milk, do not consume it. Return it to the place of purchase. It's legal to sell and buy raw milk in Washington … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Recalls Tagged With: E. coli, Food Recall, Raw Milk

American Academy of Pediatrics Warns Against Raw Milk

December 16, 2013 by News Desk Leave a Comment

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy statement warning against the consumption of raw milk and raw milk products by pregnant women and children. Many children and pregnant women have become seriously ill with bacterial infections directly linked to raw milk. The statement says, "raw milk and raw milk products from cows, goats, and sheep continue to be a source of bacterial infections attributable to a number of virulent pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, Brucella, and E. coli O157. These infections can occur in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals, including older adults, infants, young children, and pregnant women and their unborn fetuses, in whom life-threatening infections and fetal miscarriage can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Safety, News Tagged With: Food Poisoning, Raw Milk

South Dakota May Change Labels on Raw Milk

November 7, 2013 by News Desk Leave a Comment

Raw milk sold in South Dakota may get a new label that states "Warning. Raw milk. This product has not been pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria." The state has proposed two rule changes for the sale of raw milk, which is only permitted directly on the farm or delivered directly to consumers from the farm. In October 2012, Agriculture officials in South Dakota found Campylobacter bacteria in raw milk from Black Hills Milk in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. It was discovered during routine testing. A recent National Animal Health Monitoring System survey found that 92.6% of dairy farms had Campylobacter-positive cows. More than 33% of all cows tested were infected; all of the cows were "outwardly healthy". In addition to the label change, the allowed bacterial count per … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Safety, News Tagged With: Food Labels, Raw Milk

Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Shows Importance of Pasteurization

November 5, 2013 by Carla Gillespie Leave a Comment

E.coli from raw milk has sickened at least eight people, three of whom have lab-confirmed cases of E.coli O167:H7 infections, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. The outbreak underscores the importance of pasteurization, health officials say. “Some people who consume raw milk because they believe it is healthier than pasteurized milk are putting themselves and others they share it with at risk for a range of serious illnesses,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, in a statement. “Raw milk is 150 times more likely to cause a foodborne illness than pasteurized milk and can be life-threatening to some, particularly the young. Those who consume raw milk are eroding years of progress in reducing dangerous, preventable illnesses.” E.coli and other harmful bacteria … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured, Food Safety, News Tagged With: E.coli poisoning, Raw Milk

New Raw Milk Study Finds No Benefit, Lots of Risks

October 10, 2013 by Linda Larsen Leave a Comment

A new literature review study conducted by Belgian researchers and published in the journal Food Control has concluded that there are no benefits and lots of risk in consuming raw milk. Scientists reviewed the risks and benefits related to consumption of raw and pasteurized milk, considering the presence of pathogens, pathogen growth inhibition by lactic acid-producing and probiotic bacteria, and nutritional and health aspects of both products. They conclude by stating "it is demonstrated that consumption of raw milk poses a realistic health threat due to a possible contamination with human pathogens. With the exception of an altered organoleptic (taste and texture) profile, heating will not substantially change the nutritional value of raw milk or other benefits associated with raw … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Safety, News Tagged With: Raw Milk

Canada’s Gort’s Raw Milk Cheese E. Coli Outbreak Now at 23 Sickened

October 2, 2013 by Linda Larsen 3 Comments

The Public Health Agency of Canada is now investigating 23 cases of people sickened with E. coli O157:H7 in that country. Raw milk cheese products manufactured by Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia have been identified as the source of the illnesses. People started getting sick in Mid-July. The recalled products are listed at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) web site. There is no indication of widespread risk to Canadians, but E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous pathogen that can pose a serious public health risk. The case count by province/territory is as follows: British Columbia (11), Alberta (9), Saskatchewan (1), Manitoba (1), and Quebec (1). One person in British Columbia has died. If you purchased any of the recalled cheeses, do not eat them. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Outbreaks Tagged With: E. coli, E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak, Raw Milk

Gort’s Raw Milk Cheese E. coli Outbreak in Canada

September 17, 2013 by Linda Larsen Leave a Comment

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm are warning the public not to consume certain raw milk cheeses because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. Some news outlets are reporting that one person has died and 10 others are sick in British Columbia and Canada after eating the cheese. You can see the long list of recalled products at the CFIA web site, along with pictures of the cheeses and labels. The recalled cheeses include Gouda; Quaso de Prato, in various flavors, including Greek Blend; smoked Gouda; Maasdammer; Beaufort; Parmesan; and Mazouda. The products were sold at the manufacturer's outlet, at retail stores in Alberta and British Columbia, and through … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Outbreaks Tagged With: E. coli O157:H7, Outbreak, Raw Milk

Family Cow Raw Milk Sales Resume

August 29, 2013 by Carla Gillespie Leave a Comment

After a Campylobacter outbreak linked to its raw milk prompted a suspension of sales, Family Cow has been cleared by Pennsylvania health officials to resume raw milke sales. The outbreak was the third less than two years to be associated with The Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. In this outbreak, two people who consumed raw milk from the farm developed campylobacteriosis, the infection caused by ingesting the bacteria Campylobacter. In May 2013, at least five people were sickened by Campylobacter in a raw milk outbreak linked to the farm. And in January 2012, the farm was the source of the largest raw milk outbreak in Pennsylvania history. Several people were hospitalized. Raw milk sales are legal in Pennsylvania as long as producers pass mandatory inspections. But … [Read more...]

Filed Under: News, Outbreaks Tagged With: Campylobacter, Family Cow, Raw Milk

Health Warnings Accompany Raw Milk Sales In Arkansas

August 21, 2013 by Carla Gillespie Leave a Comment

Raw milk sales began in Arkansas on Friday. But health and agriculture officials in that state want consumers to know about the risks associated with drinking milk that has not been pasteurized. Under a new law, consumers can buy raw milk on the site where it was produced if they are willing to assume all risk and with the understanding that neither the farm nor the cows producing the milk will be subject to investigation by state health officials. Raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening illness such as E. coli, Listeria and Campylobacter. "Raw milk is probably riskier to drink than probably any other raw food, primarily because with any others you can wash lettuce, apples and cantaloupe, with milk you have to accept it where it is," … [Read more...]