Castle Farms Unpasteurized Raw Milk Warning
| Date: | June 12, 2012 |
| What: | Castle Farms Unpasteurized Raw Milk |
| Why: | E. coli O157:H7 contamination |
| Scope: | Chautauqua County, New York |
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers in and around Chautauqua County to not consume unpasteurized raw farm milk from Castle Farms of Irving, New York, due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
Castle Farms holds a Department permit to legally sell raw milk at the farm. Samples of the milk are routinely tested by the New York State Food Laboratory to determine if the raw milk is free of pathogenic bacteria.
A routine sample of the milk was taken on June 4, 2012 by an inspector from the Department’s Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services and discovered to be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. On June 7, 2012, Castle Farms was notified of a preliminary positive test result and volunteered to suspend raw milk sales until the sample results were confirmed. Test results were confirmed on June 12, 2012 and Castle Farms is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates the raw milk is free of harmful pathogens.
E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, which eliminates all pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7. Producers who sell raw milk to consumers must have a permit to do so from the Department, must sell directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced and must post a notice at the point of sale indicating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Farms with permits to sell raw milk are inspected by the Department monthly.
No illnesses are known by the Department to date to be associated with raw unpasteurized milk from Castle Farms.
Consumers with questions about food safety can Ask Heidi, a certified food safety professional.
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