PA Agriculture Department Warns Consumers of Tainted Raw Milk Sold by Butler County Dairy

16/04/07 Consumers who have purchased raw milk from Fisher's Dairy, Butler County, any time after April 9, 2007, should discard it immediately due to the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.

"During routine inspection, a preliminary test showed the presence of Listeria bacteria in some of the raw milk samples taken from Fisher's Dairy," said Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from this farm, they should discard it immediately."

There have been no illnesses reported because of the potential contamination, but if individuals who consumed the raw milk become ill, they are advised to consult their physician.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized or homogenized.

The Department of Agriculture has suspended sales of raw milk at the dairy and is ensuring that corrective action is taken. Samples taken from the farm during routine testing on April 9 tested positive for Listeria on April 13.

Multiple laboratory samples must come back negative before sales can resume.

Symptoms of Listeriosis are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Symptoms of Listeriosis can appear in four days to three weeks.