Consumers are being warned not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from the Jerry Dell Farm at Freeville in Tompkins County, NY, because it could possibly be contaminated with Salmonella. According to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, no illnesses associated with the product have been reported. A routine sample of the milk was tested by the department and discovered to be contaminated with Salmonella, the department stated. On Nov. 18, 2015, the producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result and agreed to stop selling raw milk. A permitted raw milk farm in New York state cannot resume sales of raw milk until a subsequent sample indicates that it is free of pathogens. Jerry Dell Farm holds a state permit, which allows the business to sell raw milk at the farm. Sampling is performed quarterly under the department’s routine surveillance program. Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from Jerry Dell Farm to immediately dispose of it and call (518) 457-1772 if they have any questions. Raw milk from the same farm was found to to be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria in September 2011, and two people were reportedly sickened. The farm suspended sales of the product at that time.
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