After a recall for potential E. coli contamination prompted a temporary suspension of raw milk sales, Pure Eire Dairy of Othello, Washington plans to restart raw milk sales this week. The recall was issued June 6, for all raw milk distributed throughout eastern Washington with an expiration date of June 8 or later.
E. coli can cause serious, life-threatening illness. In some cases, a condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure can develop. Children are at special risk. There are at least three current E.coli outbreaks where patients have developed HUS. One in Wellesley Mass. one in Toccoa Ga and one in Lomabrd, Ill. Food sources for these outbreaks is not raw milk, but other food sources which have not yet been determined.
Thorough cooking and pasteurization kills E. coli an other dangerous pathogens in raw milk which has been associated with three recent foodborne illness outbreaks. In Pennsylvania, at least five people were sickened by Campylobacter in raw milk produced by Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, PA. And within that last four months, a cow-share program on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska has been the source of two Campylobacter outbreaks that sickened at least three dozen people, four of whom developed reactive arthritis, a complication that causes painful swelling in the joints.
Raw milk laws differ from state to state. In Washington, retail sales of raw milk are permitted.
