Oct. 28 update: Natural Farm Fresh Dairy has restarted bottling. “We are pleased to be bottling again,” the dairy announced on its Facebook page on Monday. “All of our test results came back clean.” Deliveries were set to begin again on Tuesday, the company stated, with its raw milk back on store shelves by Wednesday. Previous Oct. 21 coverage continues below: Idaho health officials are investigating eight illnesses in the southwest part of the state likely associated with drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk from an Idaho dairy. As of Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, four people sickened by Campylobacter and four with E. coli 0157:H7 infections had reported drinking raw milk produced by the Natural Farm Fresh Dairy in Kuna, ID, in the week prior to getting sick, according to state officials. The investigation is continuing between the Southwest and Central District Health departments and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. “If people have recently purchased raw milk from this dairy, we advise them not to drink it and to discard it,” says Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, Idaho state public health veterinarian. The Natural Farm Fresh Dairy announced that it was pulling its products from stores. “Effective immediately, we are voluntarily removing all raw milk products currently on the shelves in retail stores and we will discontinue further distribution of our raw milk until additional product testing is completed,” the dairy stated. Idaho health officials recommended that consumers study the possible health risks before consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products or providing these products to family members, particularly those considered members of high risk groups. Those at higher risk of illness after consuming raw, unpasteurized milk include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, the department stated. Common symptoms of acute Campylobacter infection include fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, general discomfort, and vomiting. Symptoms often begin 2-5 days after consumption of contaminated foods and last for about a week in most people. In 20 percent of cases, symptoms can last for up to three weeks. Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection typically include stomach cramps and diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea. Symptoms often occur 3-4 days after exposure, but can be as short as one day and as long as 10 days. E. coli O157:H7 infections sometimes lead to a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and can occur a week or more after the onset of diarrhea. The department recommended that anyone with any symptoms of illness after consuming unpasteurized milk from Natural Farm Fresh of Kuna, ID, seek medical attention.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)