E.coli Found in Raw Milk in Lancaster PA

Posted in E. coli,Food Safety,Our Blog on September 2, 2024

Raw milk contaminated with E.coli bacteria has been found at 14 stores in Lancaster County and southcentral Pennsylvania and should be thrown away immediately, according to the state’s Department of Agriculture.

Milk sold between Aug. 5 to 12 by Leola-based Meadow View Jerseys has been found to be contaminated with the bacteria. The milk was sold in plastic gallon, quart, pint, and plastic and glass half-gallon jugs with a sell-by date of Aug. 19.

The farm’s store in Leola and retailers in Lancaster, Berks, Dauphin, and Lebanon counties sold the milk, according to the department. The farm has reached out to retailers who distributed the milk.

Meadow Valley Jersey alerted the Department of Agriculture of the contamination when a lab contracted by the farm for routine testing identified the presence of E. coli bacteria in raw milk samples. The Department of Agriculture confirmed the contamination through independent testing.

As of August 13, the Department of Agriculture has not been alerted to any patients experiencing symptoms of E. Coli exposure. The Department of Agriculture advises anyone experiencing symptoms to contact their physician.

Distributors include:

Lancaster County

Meadow View Jerseys Retail Farm Store, 172 South Farmersville Road, Leola, PA 17540

Bird in Hand Farm Supply, 2805 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA 17505

Ebenezer Groceries, 465 North Reading Road, Ephrata, PA 17522

Everest Indian Grocery Store, 1621 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603

Forry’s Country Store, 820 Ivy Drive Lancaster, PA 17601

Hilltop Acres, 347 Rife Run Road, Manheim, PA 17545

Meck’s Produce, 1955 Beaver Valley Pike, Strasburg, PA 17579

Sensenig Poultry, 843 Furnace Hill Road, Lititz, PA 17543

The Country Store 3140, Mount Joy Road, Mount Joy PA 17552

Union Mill Acres, 7557 Elizabethtown, Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Willow Creek Grocery, 30 Willow Street, Reinholds, PA 17569

Berks County

Weaver Orchard, 40 Fruit Lane, Morgantown, PA 19543

Dauphin County

Soil & Soul Farm, 2405 Colebrook Road, Middletown, PA 17057

Lebanon County

Country View Grocery, 1941 Horseshoe Pike, Annville, PA 17003

Dangers of Raw Milk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1998 through 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk. These outbreaks caused 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. CDC points out that most foodborne illnesses are not a part of recognized outbreaks, and for every illness reported, many others occur.

Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, and goats — or any other animal — that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful germs. Raw milk can carry dangerous germs such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and others that cause foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.”

These germs can seriously injure the health of anyone who drinks raw milk or eats products made from raw milk. However, the germs in raw milk can be especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems (such as transplant patients and individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes), children, older adults, and pregnant women. In fact, CDC finds that foodborne illness from raw milk especially affects children and teenagers.

Symptoms of foodborne illness usually include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and body ache

While most healthy people will recover from an illness caused by harmful germs in raw milk – or in foods made with raw milk – within a short time, some can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening. If you or someone you know becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk – or if you are pregnant and think you may have consumed contaminated raw milk or cheese – see a healthcare professional immediately.

Milk Myths

While pasteurization has helped provide safe, nutrient-rich milk and cheese for over 120 years, some people continue to believe that pasteurization harms milk and that raw milk is a safe, healthier alternative.

Here are some common myths and proven facts about milk and pasteurization:

• Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
• Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
• Raw milk marketed for pets and animals IS NOT safe for people to drink.
• Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk’s nutritional value.
• Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened.
• Pasteurization DOES kill harmful germs.
• Pasteurization DOES save lives.

When in Doubt — Ask!

• Read the label. Safe milk will have the word “pasteurized” on the label. If the word “pasteurized” does not appear on a product’s label, it may contain raw milk.
• Don’t hesitate to ask your grocer or health food store clerk whether milk or cream has been pasteurized, especially milk or milk products sold in refrigerated cases.
• Don’t buy milk or milk products at farmers’ markets or roadside stands unless you can confirm that they have been pasteurized.