After a Campylobacter outbreak linked to its raw milk prompted a suspension of sales, Family Cow has been cleared by Pennsylvania health officials to resume raw milke sales. The outbreak was the third less than two years to be associated with The Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. In this outbreak, two people who consumed raw milk from the farm developed campylobacteriosis, the infection caused by ingesting the bacteria Campylobacter. In May 2013, at least five people were sickened by Campylobacter in a raw milk outbreak linked to the farm. And in January 2012, the farm was the source of the largest raw milk outbreak in Pennsylvania history. Several people were hospitalized. Raw milk sales are legal in Pennsylvania as long as producers pass mandatory inspections. But … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Raw Milk #3 For Family Cow in PA
For the third time in 20 months, a raw milk Campylobacter outbreak has been associated with The Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Two people who consumed raw milk from the farm have confirmed cases of Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, according to Pennsylvania health officials. The farm has stopped selling raw milk while the investigation is pending. In January 2012, the farm was the source of the largest raw milk outbreak in Pennsylvania history. Several people were hospitalized. In May, of this year raw milk for the farm was again linked to an outbreak. Campylobacter in the raw milk was the source of each outbreak. After receiving a complaint from a consumer, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture went to the farm on 3854 Olde Scotland Road and … [Read more...]
Family Cow Recalled Raw Milk Sold in 7 Allegheny County Locations
Recalled raw milk produced by Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, PA was distributed at seven locations in Allegheny County, according to the Allegheny County Health Department, which is advising residents to discard the milk due to potential contamination with Campylobacter. At least five people who drank the raw milk developed campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. State health officials found the outbreak strain in a bottle of the raw milk taken from the farm and have determined that the raw milk is the source of this outbreak. The farm has halted raw milk production while the outbreak investigation is underway. The recalled raw milk was packaged under The Family Cow label in plastic gallon, half- gallon, quart and pint … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Always a Risk: Study of 2012 Family Cow Campylobacter Outbreak
A study published in the April issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases looked at the 2012 Campylobacter outbreak linked to raw milk produced at the Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The study's authors say this outbreak "demonstrates the ongoing hazards of unpasteurized dairy products." That outbreak sickened at least 81 people in four states. The sale of raw milk is legal in Pennsylvania, although transporting raw milk for sale across state lines is illegal. Dairy farms which produce and sell raw milk in that state must be inspected by public health officials annually and test their products two times a month for coliforms and standard plate counts. Biannual milk culturing for bacterial pathogens is also required. Despite these rules, during the time period of 2007 to … [Read more...]
Family Cow Raw Milk Outbreak Appears Over
The Family Cow raw milk outbreak that sickened 80 people in four states with campylobacteriosis appears to be over as no new cases have been reported since the end of February, a Pennsylvania health official said this week. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has not yet determined if it will issue an offiicial final report on the outbreak. As of the last update, issued February 28, there were 80 confirmed cases in four states. Thirty one percent of the case patients, who ranged in age from 2 to 74 years old, were under 18. At least nine people were hospitalized. The Family Cow outbreak is Pennsylvania’s largest raw milk outbreak and the fifth largest raw milk outbreak nationwide in modern history, according to data from state health departments and Centers for Disease Control and … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Family Cow Raw Milk Outbreak One of Nation’s Largest
The Campylobacter outbreak linked to raw milk produced by the Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, Pa. is one of the five largest raw milk outbreaks in the nation since 1998, according to Food Poisoning Bulletin’s research of data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments. As of February 28, 2012, 80 people in four states had been sickened by the tainted milk. The case patients range in age from 2 to 74 years old, 31 percent of them are under 18, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Pennsylvania was hit the hardest by the outbreak, with 70 total cases. Five people in Maryland were sickened, in West Virginia, three and there are two cases in New Jersey, one of whom is a 3-year-old boy from Gloucester County. At least nine … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Raw Milk Cases Linked to Family Cow Rise Again
The number of cases of Campylobacter food poisoning linked to the Family Cow brand raw milk produced by Shankstead Ecofarm in Pennsylvania has risen to 80 people in four states This is the case distribution as of February 29, 2012: Maryland (5) New Jersey (2) Pennsylvania (70) West Virginia The Maryland Department of Health found Campylobacter bacteria in closed bottles of the milk taken from the farm on February 2, 2012. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has yet to release the results of its tests. … [Read more...]
