The California Department of Health has released the list of retailers that received Organic Pastures raw milk products being recalled for possible contamination with Campylobacter. A recall of raw milk, raw skim milk (non-fat) and raw cream produced by the Fresno County diary was announced by the California Department of Agriculture on September 6 after Campylobacter was detected in a sample of raw cream during routine testing.
The recalled products have a code date of “SEP 13.” No illnesses have been reported at this time.
The lengthy retail distribution list includes Mollie Stones, Mothers Market, New Leaf and Sprouts stores. Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them. Laws governing the sale of raw milk vary from state to state. In California, retail sales of raw milk are legal as long as producers are regularly tested.
Campylobacter is a pathogen that can cause serious, sometimes life-threatening illness. Symptoms of a Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, include diarrhea, cramping and fever developing two to five days after exposure and lasting up to a week. In some cases there can be serious complications. For example, if the infection spreads to the bloodstream it can be life-threatening. And, in some cases, a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome can develop. Campylobacteriosis is the leading trigger of Guillain-Barre which causes paralysis that is usually short term.
This is the second recall for Organic Pastures this year. A May recall of raw milk products from the farm was linked to a Campylobacter outbreak that sickened 10 people, most of whom were children. Organic Pastures is the nation’s largest producer of raw milk products.
