More Concerns Over Unsafe Raw Milk
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued a consumer alert against consumption of milk products from a licensed, on-farm bottling plant that may not have been properly pasteurized.
The consumer alert was announced by the agency this week in a press release. It applies to whole milk, chocolate milk, skim milk, heavy whipping cream, half and half, buttermilk and eggnog in a variety of sizes from Blue Marble Family Farm of Barneveld, Wisconsin.
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The products have "sell-by" dates of November 27 and later and are believed to have been distributed primarily in southern Wisconsin, including the Madison area, according to the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper. The dairy plant number 55131 is on the label.
The state's unsafe raw milk press release said lab tests from a routine inspection showed the presence of an active enzyme that is normally destroyed by pasteurization.
Wisconsin food safety officials say they are unaware of any illnesses caused by these products, but the consumer warning is another opportunity to remind you and your family that pasteurization of milk is critical to killing disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter and Listeria.
Some people continue to believe that pasteurization harms milk and that raw milk is a safe and healthier alternative. Victims of raw milk outbreaks represented by national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys would tell you differently. Our firm handles cases for victims of unsafe raw milk and can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or online by completing the contact and information form on the side of this web page.
Earlier this year in Wisconsin, for instance, public health officials associated 35 confirmed cases of Camplyobacter jejuni in southeastern Wisconsin to consumption of raw milk produced by Zinniker Family Farm in Elkhorn. On person was hospitalized.
Here are some common myths and proven facts about milk and pasteurization from the Food and Drug Administration:
- Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
- Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reactions. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
- Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk's nutritional value.
- Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time.
- Pasteurization KILLS harmful bacteria and SAVES lives.
