Unpasteurized milk and its byproducts, such as cheese and yogurt, can carry a range of germs, including the bacteria E. coli O157:H7. Pasteurization kills those organisms by heating fluids such as wine, beer, and milk to 132 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, raw food advocates and health food proponents encourage the consumption of raw milk, claiming
FDA and KDHE Warn Consumers About Raw Milk
Infozine reports that following the E. coli outbreak in Washington, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is joining the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in their effort to warn the public against drinking raw milk.
In addition, an advisory has been issued from the Oklahoma State Health Department about potential rabies exposure from drinking
Shareholder dairy’s milk tests positive for E. coli
Milk samples, which were provided by the shareholders of cows at Dee Creek Farm, will be sent to the Washington State Public Health laboratory, according to reports from Capital Press. There, scientists will work to verify that the strain of E. coli found in the milk is the same that has sickened the people who
Oregon Department of Agriculture emphasizes safety of pasteurized milk
If any good can come out of this month’s outbreak of raw milk-related illnesses, it is the hope that the general public will begin understanding the value of consuming only pasteurized cow’s milk, says Ron McKay, administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Division.
Earlier this month, according to the Medford News, more than a dozen people, including three from Oregon, became ill after consuming unpasteurized milk traced to a raw milk dairy in southwest Washington. Most of the victims were children, including a 20-month old infant.Continue Reading Oregon Department of Agriculture emphasizes safety of pasteurized milk
Ruling steams raw milk farmer
Oregon law prohibits raw milk to be sold to the public, but allows it to be sold as a pet food product. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is, however, has decided that raw milk is even dangerous for pets, and has passed a decision banning the sale of it in that form, according to Jim
E. coli deadlier than strain from years past
National E. coli researchers believe E. coli strains have mutated, making it stronger and multiplying the risk of infection.
Dr. Justin Denny of the Clark County Health Department says that the strain of E. coli that sickened 18 people that drank raw milk from Dee Creek Farm is likely a stronger and deadlier version of
Shoppers told to check French cheese and butter in E coli scare
James Meikle of the Guardian reports that all dairy products made from unpasteurised milk by a French company were being withdrawn from sale yesterday following a food poisoning scare linked to butter and cheese.
Shoppers were told to check where goods came from after the Food Standards Agency extended its warning over products from Laiterie Fromagerie du Val d’Ay-etablissement Reaux in Normandy.
The FSA had ordered the withdrawal from sale of all Camembert cheese made by the company earlier this week over fears that it may have been contaminated with the food poisoning bug E coli O26 which can prove fatal to the very young and the elderly.
The Food Standards Agency was last night unable to say how many products were on sale in Britain or give a list of all the brand names. They had been imported through several channels and may be on sale at small delicatessens, farmers markets or food fairs as well as at other shops, it said.Continue Reading Shoppers told to check French cheese and butter in E coli scare
UK: Threat of E-coli contamination spreads
The Camembert cheeses that were recalled may not have been all that was infected with E.coli, according to the Food Standards Agency.
The sale of all raw milk products produced by French company Laiterie Fromagerie du Val d’Ay-Etablissement REAUX is now being halted, due to concerns about possible E-coli contamination.
Large E. coli O157 outbreak in Ireland, October-November 2005
Between October and November of 2005, 18 cases of E. coli O157:H7 were identified in a small rural area of midwest Ireland.
According to Eurosurveillance Weekly, nine of the 18 cases were preschool children attending two local creches, both of which were unregistered. Creches are childcare facilities that are allowed to be based inside of a home. Irish legislation requires that creche owners who care for more than three children in their own homes must be registered with local preschool services.Continue Reading Large E. coli O157 outbreak in Ireland, October-November 2005
Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:h7 associated with petting zoos — North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona, 2004 and 2005
North Carolina
• 108 people came down with E.coli infection, after visiting the North Carolina State Fair’s petting zoos. Twenty patients were hospitalized, and 15 had hemolytic uremic syndrome diagnosed.
• One of the petting zoos contained approximately 100 goats and sheep in an area where visitors could have extensive contact with animals and their bedding, which contributed to the outbreak, since visitors had access to potentially contaminated animal waste.Continue Reading Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:h7 associated with petting zoos — North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona, 2004 and 2005