St. John Creamery, of Monroe, Washington is recalling whole retail raw goat milk for possible E. coli contamination. This bacterial strain is a Shiga toxin-producing type of E. coli.
The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found the pathogenic bacteria in retail raw goat milk dated 6/17. Public health officials are working with the facility to find the source of the problem.
Raw milk has been recalled many times in the past few years for pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Ruminant animals, such as goats and cows, carry E. coli bacteria in their guts and pass it in their feces. The feces can then contaminate the animals’ udders, hide, and environment. The CDC states that raw milk is a serious risk for foodborne illness. In fact, raw milk is much more likely to be linked to outbreaks than pasteurized milk.
The recalled product is St. John Creamery retail raw goat milk with best by dates of 061718 (6/17) through 062118 (6/21). It was bottled in half gallon and one-pint containers. The milk was sold at the on-farm store, directly to private customers via drop groups, and at retail stores in western Washington state.
If you purchased this product do not drink it. Return it to the place of purchase or throw it away in a sealed package so other people and animals can’t access it. Wash your hands well with soap and water after handling this product. It may also be a good idea to clean your refrigerator with a mild bleach solution to kill any remaining bacteria.
The recall notice ends with these statements: “Retail raw milk is legal to sell and buy in Washington State, but the potential health risks are serious. Consumers should read the warning label on the retail raw milk container carefully.”
