A raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Oklahoma that has sickened ten people is linked to Swan Bros. Dairy, which is located in Claremore. The dairy is recalling its raw milk products, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Officials found Campylobacter jejuni in the products. The recalled items are: raw whole milk, raw 2% milk, raw skim milk, and raw heavy cream. They were sold in plastic half-gallons, gallon, and pints directly from the dairy. The milk was sold between April 9, 2020, and June 22, 2020. Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which is a process of briefly heating the milk to destroy pathogens. Because a cow's udders are so close to her anus, milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Which Foods May Be Contaminated With Listeria Monocytogenes Bacteria?
Which foods may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria? Outbreaks of listeriosis, the illness caused by this pathogen, that have been linked to these kinds of foods go back to 1985. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have put together a list of foods that people in high risk groups should avoid. While any food can be contaminated with this pathogen, the foods that are most likely to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes include deli meats, hot dogs, dairy products such as soft cheese, raw milk, and ice cream, and produce such as celery, sprouts, and cantaloupe. People who are at high risk for serious complications from a Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning infection should think about avoiding these foods unless they are cooked to 165°F. Those at … [Read more...]
Serenity Meadows Raw Milk Tests Positive for Listeria in Cayuga County NY
Serenity Meadows raw milk has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a news release issued by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The dairy is located at 2890 Jorolemon Road in Weedsport, New York. Two lab samples confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the unpasteurized milk. This pathogen can cause serious illness, especially for people in high risk groups, including the very young, the elderly, anyone with a compromised immune system, and pregnant women. Officials recommend that anyone who purchased raw milk from that dairy discard it immediately. They are also asking that anyone who purchased that milk call the department at 315-730-9738. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Illness Associated with Bad Farms PA Raw Milk
One person is sick with a Campylobacter infection after allegedly drinking raw whole milk from BAD FARMS in Kempton, Pennsylvania, according to news reports. That farm is located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The milk has been recalled and removed from store shelves. Tests taking during routine sampling indicated that the raw whole milk teated positive for Campylobacter bacteria. The milk was sold in plastic half gallons, gallons, and pints with a sell-by date of August 23, 2019. The milk was sold at Emmaus Farmer’s Market, Lehighton Farmers Market in Emmaus, Lehigh County, Trexlertown Farmers’ Market in Breinigsville, Lehigh County, and in BAD FARMS’ on-farm store and Wannamakers General Store, both in Kempton. Anyone who drank this milk and has been sick should contact their … [Read more...]
Muddy River Dairy Raw Milk Tests Positive for Listeria
Raw milk from Muddy River Dairy in Otsego County, New York has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, according to a news reports. Muddy River Dairy is not allowed to sell raw milk until new testing samples come back without contamination. (The news report lists the county where the dairy is located as Otsego and Otego.) There have not been any reported illnesses linked to this issue. Symptoms of listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, can take up to 70 days to appear. People experience high fever, stiff neck, serious headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Pregnant women are most seriously affected by this infection, and while they may only be mildly ill with what seems like the flu, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and infection in the … [Read more...]
Churchtown Dairy Raw Milk Recalled For Possible Listeria
Churchtown Dairy raw milk is being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. That dairy is located in Columbia county at 357 County Route 12 in Hudson, New York. The dairy's name is Foundation for Ag Integrity, doing business as Churchtown Dairy. No illnesses have been reported to the Department to date in association with this recalled product. A sample of the unpasteurized milk collected by a department inspector tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result on July 25, 2019. Further lab testing, which was completed on July 30, 2019, confirmed the presence of the pathogen. The producer is prohibited from selling raw milk … [Read more...]
Delaware Warns Consumers Against Raw Milk After Brucellosis Case
The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning consumers to avoid consuming raw dairy products as a woman living in Sussex County has been diagnosed with a Brucella melitensis infection. This illness affects people who come into contact with sick animals or contaminated animal products. The most common source of this infection is the consumption of raw unpasteurized dairy products. Before she got sick, the patient consumed unpasteurized homemade dairy products from Mexico. She had no other risk factors. A second, related case of brucellosis is pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPH Medical Director Dr. Rick Hong said in a statement: "Cases such as this one can serve as an unfortunate reminder that we are vulnerable to certain bacteria … [Read more...]
Side Hill Acres Raw Goat Milk Recalled For Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers that Side Hill Acres raw goat milk may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Some of the milk tested positive for the pathogen. The dairy was notified about the presumptive positive test on May 31, 2019. On June 4, 2019, more testing confirmed the presence of the pathogen in a raw milk sample. The dairy can no longer sell unpasteurized milk until sampling shows that the product doesn't have the pathogen. The dairy is located at 79 Spencer Road in Candor, New York. The government is warning consumers in the Tioga County area about this issue. No illnesses have been reported in association with this issue. If you purchased raw goat's milk from Side Hill Acres Farm, do not drink it, even if … [Read more...]
CDC Again Warns Consumers About Brucellosis in Raw Milk
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is again warning the public in 19 states about the potential exposure to Brucella RB51 in 19 states, connected to consuming raw milk from Miller's Biodiversity Farm in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. One case of brucellosis was confirmed in New York in November 2018. Three people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with brucellosis after drinking raw milk since 2017. An unknown number of people, estimated to be in the hundreds, may have been exposed to the bacteria from drinking unpasteurized milk from this farm, a farm in Texas, and an online retailer. A cow that tested positive for the pathogen has been removed from the Miller's Biodiversity Farm milking herd. In late December 2018, raw milk and raw milk products from Miller's … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have an E. coli Infection?
If you contract an E. coli infection, the symptoms are unmistakeable. Because of the toxins the pathogen produces, and how it attacks the body, patients know they are really ill. All pathogens are assigned a "multiplier" by public health officials. The number is chosen based on how many people actually go to a doctor when they contract food poisoning. The multiplier for Salmonella infections is 29, because not many people need to see a physician when they are ill. The multiplier for E. coli infections is 26, which is a surprisingly high number, given the severity of the symptoms. The main symptoms of E. coli infections are: Very severe and painful abdominal cramps Bloody and watery diarrhea Mild fever Those symptoms usually begin three to four days after … [Read more...]
