Raw milk contaminated with Listeria; Pennsylvania officials issue warning

Pennsylvania public health officials are warning the public not to drink raw milk from Sunshine Dairy because of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The implicated raw milk was sold in Berks, Lebanon and Schuykill Counties. All raw milk sold by Sunshine Dairy between Aug. 5 and Aug. 15 should be discarded.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture issued the warning on Aug. 18 after routine testing found the dairy’s milk to be contaminated with the potentially deadly Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

The affected raw milk was sold in plastic gallon containers from the farm at 9400 Old Route 22 in Bethel in Berks County, as well as three other retail stores in Pennsylvania:

• Swatty Creek Farms, 7725 Lancaster Avenue, Myerstown, Berks County
• Shady Breeze Farm-Corn Crib, 753 PA-419 Myerstown, Lebanon County
• The Farm Store, 113 E. Norwegian St, Pottsville, Schuylkill County

No illnesses traced to the unpasteurized, raw milk from Sunshine Dairy had been reported as of Aug. 18, but it can take up to 70 days for listeria infections to cause symptoms.

Local, state and federal officials routinely warn against drinking raw, unpasteurized milk — sometimes referred to as fresh milk — because it can carry bacteria and viruses killed by the pasteurization process, which heats milk to 116 degrees F for 15 seconds.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has consumed any raw milk from Sunshine Dairy and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has consumed any of the raw milk should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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