Washington State’s dairy industry is under scrutiny following the detection of harmful pathogens in raw milk from a local dairy operation
At a Glance
- Old Silvana Creamery recalls raw milk due to E. coli contamination.
- No illnesses reported from the recalled milk.
- Consumers advised against drinking the recalled milk.
- Regulatory bodies continue thorough investigations.
- Rigorous quality control in dairy production emphasized.
Contamination and Recall
Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington, WA, issued a recall for Jim’s Jerseys raw milk after tests revealed E. coli contamination. The recall affects raw milk with best buy dates of August 23, sold at various retail outlets in Western Washington. Independent lab tests on the same batch contradicted these findings, not detecting any E. coli.
“However, the sample of Jim’s Jerseys with the same best buy date of Aug. 23 taken by the Washington State Department of Agriculture during their routine testing came back positive for toxin-producing E.coli,” according to a public notice from the department.
Consumers are strongly advised not to drink the recalled milk and to return it for a full refund. Earlier this month, Campylobacter jejuni infections were linked to the same dairy’s raw milk. This incident underscores the significant health risk posed by consuming unpasteurized raw milk, which remains a high-risk food for bacterial contamination.
Health Risks and Advice
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) discovered the contamination during routine testing. Although the current E. coli variant has not been linked to any reported illnesses, health officials emphasize caution. Symptoms of E. coli infections can range from severe stomach cramps and diarrhea to fever. While most patients recover in about a week, some can develop life-threatening complications.
No other E. coli illnesses have been reported in connection to the latest recalled batch. Nevertheless, the WSDA has initiated a deep investigation to identify the source of contamination and ensure the prevention of additional health risks. The role of quality control and pasteurization processes in preventing bacterial contamination is crucial and non-negotiable given these findings.
Broader Implications
Washington State has witnessed 11 outbreaks related to raw milk consumption from 2005 to 2024, highlighting the persistent risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products. Cozy Vale Creamery of Tenino, WA, also recalled their raw milk and cream products with best-by dates from February 18 to February 29. This follows WSDA’s finding of toxin-producing E. coli during routine sampling.
Cozy Vale Creamery and WSDA are collaborating to address the issue, advising consumers to discard or return the recalled products. Consumers in Grays Harbor, Pierce, and Thurston counties were warned on March 18 about another discovery of a new STEC strain in their raw milk and cream. Immediate recalls were executed to prevent further health risks.
