For the second time this month, Organic Pastures Dairy of Fresno, CA, is recalling raw milk products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. Late Monday, California State Veterinarian Annette Jones announced that raw milk and cream produced by Organic Pastures with a code date of June 1, 2016, is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order. The quarantine order followed the confirmed detection of Salmonella bacteria in raw whole milk and raw skim milk. No illnesses have been reported at this time. Under the recall, Organic Pastures Dairy brand raw milk, raw skim milk and raw cream labeled with a USE BY date of JUN 01 2016 is to be pulled immediately from retail shelves, and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any product remaining in their refrigerators. CDFA inspectors found the bacteria as a result of product testing conducted in a follow-up to a previous recall order on May 9, 2016, that was also due to the detection of Salmonella. According to the California Department of Public Health, symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which may be bloody. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop symptoms 12 to 72 hours after exposure. While most individuals recover in four to seven days without medical intervention, some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for more severe illness.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)