Public urged to throw out raw milk from dairy implicated in Salmonella outbreak

Health officials are urging the public to immediately discard any unpasteurized, raw milk from a Pennsylvania dairy because it has been linked to at least nine people with confirmed Salmonella infections.

Almost no labeling information has been provided to help consumers determine whether they have any of the Pot ‘O Gold Dairy Specialties milk on hand. Pennsylvania officials warned consumers late Friday that they should throw out whole, raw milk from the dairy that was purchased between Sept. 10 and Oct. 12. The warning does not include any other date or labeling codes. No product photos were posted by state officials.

Retailers sold the unpasteurized, raw Pot ‘O Gold whole milk in half gallon glass containers. At least 16 stores in the Bear Lake, PA, area sold it, according to state officials.

Nine people have laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis, the infection caused by Salmonella bacteria. Neither the state nor the dairy owners have released any preliminary test results from milk samples.

The dairy does not appear to have a business website, but a statement on the company’s Facebook page indicates Pot ‘O Gold Dairy Specialties has stopped selling unpasteurized, raw milk until it receives results of tests on samples. It is continuing its pasteurized milk sales.

Anyone who has consumed any of the raw milk and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about the possible exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.

Also, anyone who has served the raw milk to children should monitor the children for symptoms. Children, particularly those younger than 5, are at higher risk of developing serious illnesses from pathogens in raw milk. Other high risk groups include elderly people, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer patients.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports the implicated raw milk was sold at:

Crawford County