LEE CENTER — The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers about a possible listeria moncytogenes contamination and not to consume unpasteurized, raw milk from Big Brook Farm, at 6063 Weaver Road, until subsequent sampling showing the product is free of the bacteria.
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, which can be a serious and sometimes fatal infection in young children, cancer patients, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women. It can also cause short-term, flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in healthy people.
The state announcement, issued by State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball on Wednesday, Sept. 30, said a preliminary sample of the milk collected by an inspector from the department was discovered to be contaminated with the bacteria. Further testing, completed on Tuesday, Sept. 29, confirmed the presence of listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk sample.
To date, no illnesses have been reported to the department associated with the product; however, the producer has been prohibited from selling raw milk until future product tests are clear of the bacteria, the announcement said, adding that consumers who purchased raw milk from Big Brook Farm should immediately dispose of it and call the farm at 315-281-5306.
Raw milk is not pasteurized, a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time to kill bacteria that can cause such illnesses as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and brucellosis.
Proponents of raw milk say that the product retains its natural lactase-assisting enzymes, whey proteins, and bioavailable vitamins that heating can alter. Advocates say it is easier to digest and some studies claim raw milk consumption contributes to lower rates of eczema, allergies, and asthma.
Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis, according to Ball’s announcement.
