The California Department of Public Health warned consumers that consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk may cause serious illness. Six people in northern California have been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis, a serious infection caused by Campylobacter bacteria.
Multiple bottles of raw milk from Claravale Farm have tested positive for Campylobacter and have been recalled. In 2012, raw milk from Claravale farm sickened at least 22 people with Campylobacter. In this latest recall, raw milk, raw nonfat milk and raw cream from Claravale Farm in San Benito county with code dates of “MAR 28 and earlier should be disposed. Retailers should not sell it, and consumers should not drink it.
The symptoms of a Campylobacter infection include diarrhea that is often bloody, abdominal cramping and pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear within two to five days after exposure. People are usually sick for about a week with this infection, although some people, especially the elderly and young children, can become sick enough to be hospitalized. A Campylobacter infection can cause Guillain Barre syndrome that can cause paralysis. And long term health effects from this infection include arthritis and meningitis.
Over the past decade, public health officials have investigated many food poisoning outbreaks linked to raw milk. The sale of raw milk is legal from some dairies in California, but CDPH does not recommend drinking these product and especially warns against giving them to children. Children are much more likely to experience serious medical conditions if the raw milk they are given is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
Raw milk products in California must carry a warning label that states: “WARNING: Raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Persons at highest risk of disease from these organisms include newborns and infants; the elderly; pregnant women; those taking corticosteroids, antibiotics or antacids; and those having chronic illnesses or other conditions that weaken their immunity.”
If you drank any unpasteurized dairy products from Claravale Farm and have experienced these symptoms, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Serious complications from this type of infection can occur, and early medical treatment is crucial.
