Organic Pastures Raw Milk E. coli O157 and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) Outbreak in California
Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County, California are the subject of a recall and quarantine order 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 to dispose of any products remaining in their refrigerators. 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.”
The quarantine order came following a notification from the California Department of Public Health of a cluster of five children who were infected, from August through October, with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. These children are residents of Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties. Interviews with the families indicate that the only common reported food exposure is unpasteurized (raw) milk from Organic Pastures dairy. Three of the five children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that may lead to kidney failure. There have been no deaths.
Evidence Implicating Organic Pastures
While laboratory samples of Organic Pastures raw milk have not detected E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk. Surveys indicate that only about three percent of the public report drinking raw milk in any given week so finding 100% of these children drank raw milk and the absence of other common foods or animal exposures indicates the Organic Pastures raw milk is the likely source of their infection.This is epidemiological evidence that can be used in a lawsuit against Organic Pastures to recover medical expenses, lost income and compensation for pain and suffering.
Contact Attorney Fred Pritzker and his E. coli litigation team for a free consultation.
