Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington, Washington is voluntarily recalling whole raw milk because it can be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, according to a notice posted on the company’s Facebook page. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
Routine sampling by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of toxin-producing E. coli in retail raw cow milk dated 12/15. More product testing is being conducted. The recalled products are Old Silvana Creamery LLC retail raw milk with Best By dates of 12/15 through 12/23. The recall is for both of the company’s retail raw milk brands, “Jim’s Jerseys” and “Guernsey Goodness.” The milk was bottled in half gallon and one gallon plastic jugs with orange or green caps. The raw milk was sold at the on farm stores, directly to private customers, and at retail stores in western Washington state.
If you bought this product with those best by dates, do not drink it. Discard it or take it back to the place of purchase for a full refund.
This isn’t the first time this facility has recalled its raw milk. In 2015, some batches of raw milk were recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination.
It’s legal to sell and buy raw milk in Washington state, but “the potential health risks are serious,” according to the creamery press release. Consumers should read the warning label on retail raw milk containers carefully.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe and painful abdominal and stomach cramps and diarrhea that is usually bloody or watery. A mild fever and vomiting may also be present. This illness usually develops within a few days of exposure to the pathogenic bacteria.
Because symptoms are so severe, most people do visit a doctor when they contract this illness. In some groups, especially young children, an E. coli infection can lead to a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure.
If you or anyone in your family has consumed this recalled raw milk and has experienced the symptoms of E. coli food poisoning, see your doctor. This illness can have serious health complications that may occur years after recovery.
