HARRISBURG, PA — State agriculture officials in Pennsylvania are urging consumers to immediately dispose of all raw milk products from Conoco View Dairy after tests revealed contamination with harmful Campylobacter bacteria. The warning comes in the wake of 11 reported cases of campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that induces symptoms including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and sometimes nausea and vomiting.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued the alert for residents in Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Snyder, and York counties who purchased the dairy’s raw milk products, and those who received home deliveries or picked up products at drop-off points in Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, and Perry counties.
Although the source of the bacterial contamination has been identified as Conoco View Dairy’s raw milk, pinpointing the specific production dates affected has proven difficult. As such, consumers are advised to discard all products from the dairy, even those stored in freezers.
Conoco View Dairy’s raw milk products were sold in plastic pints, quart, and gallons, as well as glass quarts. Consumers could purchase these products at the dairy’s retail outlet located at 410 Clarks Run Road in Blain, Perry County. In addition, several other retail locations across the region carried the products, including Maple Lane Farm and Spring Garden Greenhouse in Cumberland County; Pallet Grocery in Juniata County; Blain Market, Leids Market, Lighthouse Health Foods, and Skyline Bargains in Perry County; Whispering Pines Fruit Farm in Snyder County; and Castle Creek in York County.
Moreover, the dairy also made direct deliveries to homes in Dauphin, Perry, and Juniata counties and facilitated pick-ups at Harrisburg, Carlisle, Enola, and Mechanicsburg.
Campylobacter infections typically manifest two to five days after exposure to the bacteria and can last about a week. Anyone who has consumed the milk and is experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
The incident highlights the potential health risks associated with consuming raw, or unpasteurized, milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that such products can carry harmful bacteria and other germs that can pose serious health risks.
Pennsylvania’s warning against Conoco View Dairy’s raw milk products remains in effect until further notice. Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture continues to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of food safety and consumer protection in the wake of this public health concern.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.