The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) today warned consumers not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from Horning Family Farms LLC because tests showed contamination with Campylobacter jejuni.
On December 15, the New York State Department of Health advised the AGM of two illnesses that may be associated with the consumption of raw milk purchased from Horning Family Farms LLC.
In response, an AGM inspector took a sample of the raw milk and found it to be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.
On December 19, the manufacturer was notified of the preliminary positive test result. Further laboratory testing completed on December 22 confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in the raw milk sample. The manufacturer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent testing confirms that the product does not contain harmful bacteria.
The Annual General Meeting recommends that all consumers who purchased raw milk from Horning Family Farms LLC discard it immediately. Raw milk is labeled and sold as Country Cousins ​​Farm raw cow's milk.
About campylobacter infections
Food contaminated with campylobacter does not have an unpleasant appearance, smell or taste. Outbreaks have been linked to unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated water, poultry and produce.
Anyone who has consumed raw, unpasteurized milk from Horning Family Farms and sold it under the name “Country Cousins ​​Farm Raw Cow's Milk” and develops symptoms of a campylobacter infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about possible exposure to the pathogen. Infections can mimic other diseases, so patients should be tested specifically for Campylobacter.
Many people recover within a week, but Campylobacter infection can lead to long-term effects such as arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
Azithromycin and fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin are commonly used for treatment, but resistance to fluoroquinolones is common.
Symptoms of Campylobacter infection usually appear two to five days after infection and are characterized by diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, fever, nausea and sometimes vomiting. More serious illness may occur, including bloodstream infection and symptoms resembling acute appendicitis or ulcerative colitis.
