Consumers are urged to discard whole raw milk from Pool Forge Dairy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Milk that was sold between April 25 and May 7, 2018 is recalled. Routine sampling revealed the presence of the pathogenic bacteria.
The milk was sold at Pool Forge Dairy at 201 Bridgeville Road, Shady Maple Market at 1324 Main Street, and Hoover’s Farm Market at 1719 Main Street. Those facilities are in East Earl Township in northeastern Lancaster County. The milk was sold in plastic quart, half-gallon, and gallon containers with the Pool Forge label.
If you purchased this milk, do not consume it. Discard it in a sealed or double bagged package, or take it back to the place of purchase for a refund. Wash your hands well after handling this milk.
Then clean out your refrigerator with a solution of 1 gallon warm water and 1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria can grow under refrigeration. Freezing doesn’t kill it. Wipe down the containers in your fridge with the bleach solution as well, rinse, and dry. Then wash your hands again with warm, soapy water to protect yourself.
If you drank some of this milk, monitor yourself for the symptoms of listeriosis for the next 70 days. That’s how long it can take for symptoms of this illness to manifest. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.
The symptoms of listeriosis include high fever, muscle aches, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Pregnant women may suffer miscarriages, stillbirth, and premature labor if they contract listeriosis, even though their illness seems milk. The elderly, newborns, and adults with impaired immune systems can also become seriously ill. If you do feel sick, see your doctor.
