Organic Pastures E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Sickens Five Children Raw Milk Poses A Greater Risk to Kids, Officials Say
All five victims of the Organic Pastures raw milk E. coli O157:H7 outbreak are children, three of whom required hospitalization for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
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Enthusiasts believe raw milk- milk from cows, sheep or goats that has not been pasteurized, contains healthful microorganisms that pasteurized milk does not. While there is no scientific evidence to support that claim, there is ample evidence that pasteurization kills dangerous pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, that pose serious health risks, especially to children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Despite its risks, the sale of raw milk is legal in some states. Raw milk and raw milk products caused 93 reported outbreaks of foodborne illness between 1998 and 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) Those outbreaks sickened 1,837 people, 195 of whom required hospitalization, two of whom died.
“One of the troubling issues about the sale of raw milk is that consumers are not adequately warned about the risks,” said Fred Pritzker, founder and president of PritzkerOlsen P.A., a national leader in food safety law. “I represent people sickened by raw milk due to contamination with Campylobacter jejuni, E. coli O157:H7 and other dangerous pathogens. Raw milk can cause kidney failure, paralysis and death. I know because I have stood by the bedsides of people who innocently drank raw milk and ended up hooked up to life support fighting for their lives.”
Earlier this week, a recall and quarantine of raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, California was announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.
Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged not to eat or drink any of the products. Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw milk products for the retail market. The order also affects Organic Pastures raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.”
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe abdominal cramping and watery or bloody diarrhea. Officials urge anyone experiencing these symptoms after consuming the products under reacll to seek medical attention. Anyone with legal questions about an illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreak should contact the foodborne illness experts at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.
