Pride & Joy Creamery of Toppenish, Washington is recalling organic retail raw milk because it may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria that can cause serious illness.
UPDATE: Although the February 8, 2017 recall notice states that no known illness are associated with the product “at this time,” other news reports stated that some people may be sick, which was not accurate.
Hector Castro, agricultural communications director, told Food Poisoning Bulletin that two Salmonella illnesses were reported to the Department of Health. Both people who were sickened consumed Pride & Joy raw milk products, which prompted the investigation of the Creamery’s products. Salmonella was not found in the milk samples, although E. coli was.
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli bacteria can cause serious complications, including kidney failure and death. The symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, a mild fever, and diarrhea that may be bloody and/or watery. If you or anyone you know consumed raw milk from Pride & Joy Creamery and are experiencing these symptoms, see a doctor.
The recalled product is Pride & Joy Creamery organic retail raw milk with best by dates of February 10 through February 24, 2017. It was sold at the on-farm store and online and at drop off locations and retail stores throughout Washington state. The product is sold in pint, quart, half-gallon, and one gallon plastic containers.
If you purchased this product with those best by dates, do not drink it. Take it back to the place of purchase or discard it in a sealed or double bagged package so other people and animals can’t get at it.
Raw milk is legal to sell and buy in Washington state, but “the potential health risks are serious,” according to the retail notice. There are warning labels on all raw milk products sold in the state.
One of the complications of an E. coli infection is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. The symptoms of HUS include little or no urine output, lethargy, easy bruising, bleeding from the nose or mouth, and a skin rash. Anyone experiencing these symptoms must see a doctor immediately.
