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Campylobacter found in raw milk sold in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King Counties

OLYMPIA  Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) today warned consumers in the Puget Sound region not to consume unpasteurized or raw cow milk with a 12/20 sell-by date from the Pleasant Valley Dairy due to possible Campylobacter contamination.

The Pleasant Valley Dairy, 6804 Kickerville Road, Ferndale, WA 98248, is licensed to process milk and cheese products, including retail raw milk. Samples are taken monthly and tested by the department to determine if the raw milk is free of pathogenic bacteria.

A routine sample of the retail raw milk taken by the WSDA Food Safety Program on Dec. 11 was discovered to be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.

Local health departments are reviewing Campylobacter illness reports that may be related to this Pleasant Valley Dairy product.

Some of this Pleasant Valley raw milk may still be in kitchen refrigerators around the region, said Claudia Coles, manager of WSDAs Food Safety Program. Check those sell-by dates, dont drink any remaining milk and be aware of the clinical signs of this infectious disease.

Campylobacter is bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache and muscle pain in young children and young adults. Illness usually occurs two to five days after ingestion and generally lasts for seven to ten days. Individuals who have consumed the milk and become ill are advised to consult their physician or local health department.

The product was sold in half-gallon plastic containers at the Pleasant Valley farm store and at:
Barganica, Community Food Coop and Terra Organica in Bellingham
Skagit Valley Coop in Mt. Vernon
Arlington Health, Petosas, Manna Mills, Tru Health and Bobs Corn Patch in Snohomish County
Spuds in Seattle

Unpasteurized milk from a licensed dairy is a legal product in Washington, but bottled raw milk must include a warning label that informs the consumer of the health risks associated with its consumption. More information about raw milk can be found at www.agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/dairy.

Consumers who have purchased the product with 12/20 pull date are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement with new product. Consumers may contact Pleasant Valley Dairy at 360-366-5398.

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