The FDA has updated information about the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak (HPAI), which has spread to dairy cows. The virus can be transmitted by wild birds of domestic poultry and other animal species. Sporadic human infections have also occurs. The "highly pathogenic" definition revers to the effect on birds, not necessarily in people. The infection in cows is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms in cattle. Based on information that is currently available, the commercial milk supply is still safe, according to the FDA, because of the pasteurization process and the diversion of destruction of milk from sick cows. WebMD has stated that particles of the bird flu virus have been detected in pasteurized milk, but particles of the pathogen will not … [Read more...]
Big Brook Farm Raw Milk May Contain Listeria Monocytogenes
Big Brook Farm raw milk may contain Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a Consumer Alert issued by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this item. The farm is located at 6063 Weaver Road, Lee Center in Oneida County, New York. A sample of Big Brook Farm raw milk that was collected by that agency tested positive. On March 13, 2024, the producer was notified about a preliminary positive test. On March 18, 2024, further testing confirmed the presence of the pathogen in the raw milk sample. The farm is now prohibited from selling raw milk until sampling indicates that the product is no longer contaminated. If you bought any milk from Garrie A. … [Read more...]
Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Sickens Two In Washington State
A raw milk E. coli outbreak has sickened at least two people in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The patients got sick in mid-January and early February 2024. The patients were sickened with the same, highly related strain of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) bacteria. Both patients drank raw, or unpasteurized, milk, produced by Cozy Vale Creamery in Tenino, Washington, shortly before getting sick. The patients live in two counties: Grays Harbor and Pierce. On February 16, 2024, Cozy Vale Creamery recalled their raw milk and cream because of STEC contamination. The STEC bacteria in the milk was a different strain than the one that caused the two recent illnesses. At this time, there are no known illnesses associated with the strain found in … [Read more...]
Vulto Creamery Pleads Guilty In Connection With Listeria Outbreak
Vulto Creamery has pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce in connection to a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to that dairy's cheese in 2016 and 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In that outbreak, the soft raw milk cheese sickened at least eight people in four states, and two people died. Johannes Vulto oversaw operations at the Vulto Creamery manufacturing facility in Walton, New York, including sanitation and environmental monitoring. By entering the guilty plea, Vulto admits that between December 2014 and March 2017, they shipped adulterated cheese. Environmental swabs that were taken at the facility between July 2014 and February 2017 repeatedly tested positive for various Listeria species; … [Read more...]
Sigmon Dairy Recalls Raw Milk For Possible Listeria Contamination
Sigmon Dairy is recalling their retail raw whole milk for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to news reports. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The dairy is located in the city of Rochester, Washington. The Washington State Department of Agriculture released a news release about this possible contamination. The release states, "Listeriosis may cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. This infection may spread beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the … [Read more...]
Conoco View Dairy Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in PA
A Conoco View Dairy raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Pennsylvania has sickened at least 11 people, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Officials are warning consumers to immediately discard all of this milk. The Department ran tests after 11 reports of illness in December 2023 and January 2024 were received. Campylobacter contamination was confirmed in the dairy's products. The press release states that, "While the source of the bacteria is clear, every specific production date could not be pinpointed. All products, including those in consumers' freezers, should be discarded." The press release mentions eight several different counties where the milk was sold or dropped off at different points in the memo. The quotes are: "raw milk sold in Cumberland, … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Sues Farmer Amos Miller For Illegal Raw Milk Sales
The state of Pennsylvania sues farmer Amos Miller to stop the illegal distribution of raw milk and other products, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the state's Department of Agriculture. The complaint is against Miller's Organic farm, its owners, and related businesses. Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture searched the farm after two people were sickened with E. coli infections after allegedly consuming eggnog made with raw milk from that facility. The lawsuit was filed after "years of attempts by state and federal officials to bring the farm into compliance with the law," according to the Attorney General. The complaint outlines violations of Pennsylvania’s Milk Sanitation Law, Food Safety Act, Retail Food Facility … [Read more...]
PA Ag Department Searches Amos Miller Farm After illnesses
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has searched the Amos Miller farm in Upper Leacock Township after illnesses were reported when people allegedly consumed raw dairy products from that facility, according to news reports. The search took place on Thursday, January 4, 2023. Mr. Miller has been in litigation with the federal government for years because of alleged violations in food safety guidelines and food and meat inspection. Last year a consent decree was filed against the farm for allegedly avoiding USDA inspections and selling uninspected, misbranded meat. At that time the company was permanently enjoined, and, "Miller’s acknowledges that it has violated the injunction and agrees to pay fines for denying access to inspectors, and will either adhere to procedures for … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Salmonella Outbreak Spreads to Orange County
The Raw Farm Salmonella outbreak that has sickened nine people in San Diego County has now sickened seven people in Orange County, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. Those sickened consumed raw milk from that dairy. Raw Farm LLC, which is located in Fresno, has recalled their raw milk and raw cream products. All of the patients got sick within the last month. The patient age range is from one to 20 years. Orange County Health Care Agency is investigating this outbreak with the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. They are also contacting stores in the county where these products may be sold to make sure they are not available for purchase. Raw milk is an unpasteurized dairy product that has not gone through … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Recalls Raw Milk and Cream For Salmonella in CA
Raw Farm recalls raw milk and cream for Salmonella contamination in California. These products are linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least nine people in San Diego County and seven people in Orange County. All fluid raw whole milk and raw heavy cream are included in this recall. The recalling firm is Raw Farm LLC of Fresno, California. The best by dates for these products range from 10/11/2023 to 11/6/2023. They were sold in California. UPDATE: the retail distribution list for this raw milk has been posted by the California Department of Public Health. The list includes these venues: Bristol Farms, Clark’s Nutrition, Elliott’s Natural Foods, Erewhon Market, Frazier Farms Market, Jimbo’s, Lassen’s Natural Foods, Lazy Acres, Lunardi’s, Mother’s Market, Nugget … [Read more...]
