Agriculture Department Warns Consumers Of Tainted Raw Milk Sold By Chester County Dairy

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 17 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Consumers who have purchased raw milk from the Conebella dairy farm in Elverson, Chester County, any time after Oct. 23, should discard it immediately due to the risk of Salmonellosis contamination, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized.

"During routine inspection of the dairy, a preliminary test showed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in some raw milk samples," said Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from this farm, they should discard it immediately."

No illnesses have been reported as a result of the potential contamination but if people who consumed the raw milk become ill, they should consult their physicians.

The Department of Agriculture has suspended sales of raw milk at the dairy and is requiring corrective action be taken. Samples were taken from the farm during routine testing on Nov. 13, and tested positive for Salmonella on Nov. 16.

Multiple laboratory samples must test negative before sales can resume.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis include fever, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear six to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us