Connecticut officials have issued a warning against consuming raw milk following a recent recall. The state’s Department of Agriculture has recalled bottled raw milk from Nature View Dairy in Bridgewater, Connecticut after confirming two cases of campylobacter illness linked to the product.
Campylobacter, a bacteria found in additional samples of the farm’s raw milk, is commonly found in the intestines of cattle, poultry, and pigs. Even a small amount of Campylobacter bacteria can cause illness. Infection can occur through consuming unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat, or contaminated produce, as well as through contact with animals or their living environments. Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 10 days after exposure and can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. While most people recover within a week, complications such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder, can occur.
Nature View Dairy, specializing in the production of raw milk and raw milk products, has voluntarily complied with the recall. The farm’s products are sold at their farm and at various markets in parts of the state.
Commenting on the recall, Connecticut State Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt emphasized caution when consuming raw milk products, especially for high-risk groups that include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
The debate over raw milk safety has been a contentious one for years. Nature View Dairy’s website claims that raw milk is inherently safe and nutritionally superior to pasteurized milk. However, health officials maintain that pasteurization is crucial for eliminating harmful bacteria without compromising nutritional value.
Pasteurization involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set duration to eliminate disease-causing germs. While good farming practices can reduce contamination risks, they cannot guarantee the safety of raw milk from pathogens found in farm animals or in the farm animals’ environment.
Connecticut’s dairy industry is significant, with sales of milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream in the state contributing more than $1 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. Farms selling raw milk undergo cleanliness inspections, though smaller operations may be exempt from certain regulations.
The raw milk issue has recently entered political discourse, with some politicians and activists advocating for its protection and consumption.
In light of the recall, health officials have advised anyone experiencing prolonged symptoms of campylobacter infection, such as diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting, to seek medical attention.
Commenting on this article, one national campylobacter lawyer said, “This story highlights the ongoing tension between raw milk enthusiasts and public health concerns. Pasteurized milk has repeatedly been shown to be the safest form of consumable milk that still contains all of the beneficial nutrients. Any consumer in possession of the recalled raw milk should throw it away immediately.”
