Five raw milk outbreaks occurring at the same time this fall highlight the inherent risks of this product. Raw milk is unpasteurized, that is, it is not heat treated to kill dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Brucella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium. The issue is that a cow's udders are close to the anus. And ruminant animals such as cows can harbor pathogens and not appear sick. The pathogens are excreted in feces and can easily contaminate the udders and milk. All together, these outbreaks have sickened at least 51 people. And since the multipliers for Salmonella and Campylobacter alone are around 30, that means there could be 1500 people sick. The Outbreaks These outbreaks occurred in September and October, 2023. Two of the outbreaks … [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...]
Tennessee E. coli Raw Milk Outbreak Sickened Two Infants
A Tennessee E. coli raw milk outbreak sickened two infants in 2022, according to a study conducted by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in their weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. One of the babies developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and became seriously ill. The milk was sold through a cow-share arrangement, since raw milk, or unpasteurized dairy, sales through retail outlets are illegal in that state. The two infants, who were 10 months old at the time, got sick on July 25 and August 1, 2022. Stool specimens tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) by polymerase chain reaction. One of the infants developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and was hospitalized for 27 days. The … [Read more...]
Study Confirms that Raw Milk Is Linked to Foodborne Illness
A new study has confirmed that raw milk is linked to foodborne illness. During the time period of 2013 to 2018, 75 outbreaks that caused 675 illnesses were linked to unpasteurized milk. Of these illnesses, almost half were among children and teenagers aged o to 19 years. Given that the consumption of raw milk is low in this country, with only about 1 to 2% of the adult population buying it, these numbers are shocking. The study points out that almost 80% of those outbreaks occurred in states where the sale of raw milk is allowed. Raw milk and raw milk products are a public health challenge in the United States. And laws that encourage availability of unpasteurized milk are associated with more illnesses and outbreaks. Raw milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, … [Read more...]
Hawaii Raw Goat Milk Embargo in Effect Against Retail Stores
A Hawaii raw goat milk embargo is in effect because the product is allegedly being sold by food retailers and in pet supply stores. It is illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption in Hawaii. The government is issuing cease and desist orders to those facilities that may be selling unpasteurized goat milk. These raw milk products are not safe for humans consumption. Pet stores or any other retailer that has raw milk in their possession must remove it from sale immediately and destroy it or return the milk to their supplier. Fines for disobeying this embargo can be up to $10,000 per day. As of July 1, 2021, there were nearly 20 Oahu pet store that were selling the unpasteurized goat milk product, according to the DOH notice. The health department is inspecting stores to try to … [Read more...]
Eastern Idaho Campylobacter Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk
An Eastern Idaho Campylobacter outbreak is associated with the consumption of raw milk, according to a notice posted on that agency's Facebook page. Eastern Idaho Public Health is working in conjunction with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to educate the public about the inherent risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Raw, or unpasteurized, milk and dairy products are associated with many food poisoning outbreaks and illnesses in the past several decades. Pathogens linked to these types of products include Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, Brucella, and Listeria monocytogenes. The notice did not state how many people are sick, the patient age range, illness onset date, or whether or not anyone has been … [Read more...]
Dungeness Valley Creamery Raw Milk Linked to WA Campylobacter Outbreak
A Washington Campylobacter outbreak is linked to Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk, according to a news release by the Washington State Department of Health. Five lab-positive cases have been identified. The raw milk was purchased in Clallam, Skagit, Kitsap, and Clark Counties. We don't know the patient ages, illness onset dates, or whether anyone has been hospitalized. Dungeness Valley Creamery has issued a voluntary recall of all raw milk products with a Best Buy date of April 13, 2021 or earlier. These products may be contaminated with Campylobacter, which can cause serious illness. The recalled raw milk items are bottled in gallon, half-gallon, quart, and pint containers. The raw milk was sold to customers in western Washington state in the company's on-farm store, outside … [Read more...]
