Bacterial contamination found in raw milk in Schuyler County. What to know about warning
The state Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers in Schuyler County and surrounding areas not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from Sunset View Creamery, a family-owned farm in Odessa, due to possible bacterial contamination.
A routine sample of the milk collected by an inspector from the department was discovered to be contaminated with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of food poisoning in the United States.
The agency notified Sunset View Creamery of a preliminary positive test result Sept. 12. Further laboratory testing, completed Sept. 18, confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in the raw milk sample.
The creamery is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of the harmful bacteria, the Department of Agriculture and Markets said.
Fall foliage Changing leaves in the Southern Tier: What to expect, where to look. We asked the experts
The agency recommends any consumers who purchased raw milk from Sunset View Creamery immediately dispose it of and call the farm at 607-594-2095.
Campylobacter causes an estimated 1.5 million illnesses each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of infection can include diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting, along with fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start two to five days after the person ingests the contaminated item and last about a week.
People who have compromised immune systems are at risk of more serious and possibly life-threatening infection, the CDC said.
The Department of Agriculture and Markets notes raw milk is not pasteurized, a process that kills bacteria responsible for numerous foodborne illnesses.
Raw milk is legal for sale in New York state, and is subject to regular state testing.
Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Raw milk from Schuyler County farm tainted with bacteria, state warns
