Legal News for Product Liability Attorneys. The FDA and multiple state health agencies have warned consumers of illness outbreaks linked to unpasteurized milk.
Product liability attorney alerts- The Michigan Department of Community Health received 12 reports of raw milk consumers suffering from illnesses caused by dangerous bacteria.
Middlebury, IN—An outbreak of campylobacteriosis, caused by the consumption of contaminated raw milk, has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fda.gov and several public health agencies to warn consumers of the potential health risks associated with unpasteurized milk. The FDA announced the health alert on Friday, March 26, 2010.
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), Illinois Department of Public Health, Indiana State Board of Animal Health and Indiana State Health Department, in partnership with the FDA, are conducting a probe into an outbreak of Campylobacter infections. Since March 24, 2010, the MDCH has reportedly confirmed 12 cases of Campylobacter infections in raw milk consumers. The unpasteurized milk linked to the Campylobacter cases originated from Middlebury, Indiana-based Forest Grove Dairy.
Raw milk comes from cows, sheep and goats and may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter and Brucella. Symptoms linked to the ingestion of tainted raw milk included nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, as well as head and body aches. Consumers with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, the elderly and children are particularly susceptible to dangers related to foodborne illnesses. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have long warned consumers of the potential risks associated with consuming raw milk, although raw milk advocates have been known to maintain that unpasteurized dairy products are more nutritious and naturally antimicrobial. In reality, harmful bacteria found in raw milk will only be eliminated through pasteurization.
According to the FDA’s press release, “From 1998 to 2008, 85 outbreaks of human infections resulting from consumption of raw milk were reported to CDC. These outbreaks included a total of 1,614 reported illnesses, 187 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. Because not all cases of foodborne illness are recognized and reported, the actual number of illnesses associated with raw milk likely is greater.”
Raw milk consumers who have experienced symptoms such as those listed above are urged to contact their health care providers immediately. Further information regarding raw milk can be found online at www.foodsafety.gov.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Product Liability Lawyers.
