Recalled raw milk produced by Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, PA was distributed at seven locations in Allegheny County, according to the Allegheny County Health Department, which is advising residents to discard the milk due to potential contamination with Campylobacter. At least five people who drank the raw milk developed campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramping.
State health officials found the outbreak strain in a bottle of the raw milk taken from the farm and have determined that the raw milk is the source of this outbreak. The farm has halted raw milk production while the outbreak investigation is underway.
The recalled raw milk was packaged under The Family Cow label in plastic gallon, half- gallon, quart and pint containers and labeled as “raw milk.” It was sold at seven locations in Allegheny County, Eichner’s Family Farm in Wexford, East End Food Co-op in Point Breeze, and directly to consumers at five drop-off points. The drop-off locations are in the Ross, McKnight Road parking lot beside Jo Ann Fabrics; the Bethel Park parking lot behind Tony’s Auto Center and South Hills Church of Nazarene; the Swissvale Getz Memorial Park; the Green Tree parking lot of Beth El Congregation; and at the Pittsburgh Mills, Wal-Mart parking lot.
Consumers who have this milk should not drink it. The owner of the farm, Edwin Shank, has said he will offer replacements when the farm resumes production. Campylobacteriosis can cause serious illness in some people, especially young children, seniors, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems. In rare cases, people with campylobcateriosis will develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which causes paralysis. Health officials advise anyone who drank the milk and has developed symptoms to see a health care provider.
