E. coli Found At Cozy Vale Creamery Matches Strain that Sickened 2 Children in Washington
The E. coli O157:H7 strain discovered in environmental samples taken from Cozy Vale Creamery matches the strain that has sickened three people, including 2 children, according to a Washington State Department of Agriculture official.
On November 23, the Tenino, Washington-based diary issued a recall of raw milk products after routine tests by the agriculture department found E.coli O157:H7 in the milking parlor and processing areas of the dairy.
During the last three months, three Cozy Vale customers have contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections, but E. coli was never discovered in routine testing of the milk.
Symptoms of E.coli poisoning include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody and vomiting. Some infections are mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. Children are among those who are especially at risk. In some cases, they can develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which causes kidney failure.
The recalled raw milk products include raw whole milk, raw skim milk and raw cream with “best if used by” dates up to and including December 6. The milk and cream were sold in pint, quart, half-gallon and gallon containers were sold at the on-farm store at 7018 Churchill Road, and at the following locations:
Marlene’s Market, 2951 S. 38th St., Tacoma, WA
Marlene’s Market, 2565 S. Gateway Center Pl., Federal Way, WA
Mt. Community Co-op, 105 Carter St., Eatonville WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 3111, Pacific Ave., Olympia, WA
Olympia Food Co-op, 921 Rogers, Olympia, WA
Olympia Local Foods, 2442 Mottman Rd S.W., Turnwater, WA
Yelm Co-op, 404 1st St., Yelm, WA
