Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Warns Consumers of Tainted Raw Milk Sold By Clarion, Crawford County Dairies

Contact:
Nicole L. Cullison
(717) 787-5085

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Harrisburg, PA -- April 7, 2008 -- Consumers who purchased raw milk from Piney Ridge dairy farm in New Bethlehem, Clarion County, and Clark and Elaine Duncan’s farm in Meadville, Crawford County, anytime after March 10 should discard it immediately due to the risk of Listeria Monocytogenes contamination, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized. Pennsylvania farms selling raw milk must be permitted and inspected to reduce health risks associated with the unpasteurized products. In 2007, a previous case of Listeria Monocytogenes was found at Piney Ridge dairy.

"During routine testing, samples taken at the dairies tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes," said Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from these farms, 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 dairies and is requiring corrective action be taken. Samples were taken from the farms on March 31; they tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes on April 4.

Multiple laboratory samples must test negative before sales can resume.

Symptoms of Listeriosis are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Symptoms of Listeriosis can appear in four days to three weeks.