BETHLEHEM, Pa. — State officials are calling on residents to throw away raw milk from an Adams County creamery due to contamination.
“Milk can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as campylobacter, if a cow has an udder infection, or from manure contamination during milking or storage,” according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Agriculture. “Pasteurization of milk effectively eliminates these health threats.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported one person who consumed raw milk from Apple Valley Creamery in East Berlin and became ill with campylobacteriosis, an illness caused by the bacteria, officials said. Samples of the raw milk were tested by the state Department of Agriculture, testing positive for campylobacter.
Recall alert! 🚨
— PA Department of Agriculture (@PAAgriculture) May 3, 2024
Due to contamination with Campylobacter, consumers should immediately discard raw milk sold from Apple Valley Creamery, under the Pure Pastures Dairy label, with sell-by dates of April 3, 2024, through today.
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Any of the creamery’s raw milk under the Pure Pastures Dairy label, with sell-by dates of April 3 through Thursday should be discarded, officials said.
The milk is sold in Lehigh County through Cow Belle Home Delivery, of Bethlehem, and in Northampton County through Easton Public Market & Highmark Farmstand, 325 Northampton St., and Johnsonville Farm & Garden, 154 Johnsonville Road in Bangor.
For a full list of retailers, go to the state's website.
Anyone who consumed the raw milk should consult their physician if they become ill, officials said. Those with a campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea — often bloody — as well as fever and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. Symptoms usually start two to five days after infection and last about one week.
Pennsylvania continues its rigorous monitoring program for H5N1 in poultry and has not detected the virus in any dairy cattle within the state.Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
“The Department of Agriculture wants to assure residents that the bacteria Campylobacter is unrelated to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1),” officials said. “Pennsylvania continues its rigorous monitoring program for H5N1 in poultry and has not detected the virus in any dairy cattle within the state.”
So far, nine states have reported dairy cows that have been infected with bird flu, according to the USDA. However, only one person, who works on a dairy farm in Texas, has been infected with it.
Although the threat to humans is low, local doctors said it’s important to keep a close watch on the situation before it turns into a pandemic.
