Organic Pastures raw milk is recalled -- again

Raw whole milk produced by Organic Pastures Dairy in Fresno County has been recalled after testing positive for campylobacter bacteria, according to a news release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The recalled milk, with a code date of OCT 24, is also under a quarantine order, according to California State Veterinarian Annette Jones.

No illnesses have been reported, however.

Under the recall, Organic Pastures Dairy brand Grade-A raw milk with the OCT 24 code date is being immediately removed from retail shelves. Anyone with the product is “strongly urged” to dispose of it. California Department of Food and Agriculture inspectors found the bacteria as a result of routine product testing at the facility.

According to the California Department of Public Health, symptoms of campylobacteriosis usually occur two to five days after exposure to campylobacter and last about a week.

This isn’t the first recall for Organic Pastures Dairy. Raw milk, raw skim milk (non-fat) and raw cream produced by the dairy were recalled in September 2012 for campylobacter bacteria. Raw milk, raw skim milk (non-fat), raw cream and raw butter from the dairy were also recalled in May 2012 for the same bacteria.

And, from January through April 30, 2012, the California Department of Public Health reported that at least 10 people with campylobacter infection were identified throughout California and reported consuming Organic Pastures raw milk prior to feeling ill. They were residents of Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties.

In November, 2011, a cluster of five young children with E. coli infection all reported drinking raw milk from Organic Pastures, and had no other common exposures. The epidemiological findings led to a quarantine and recall of all Organic Pastures products except cheese aged more than 60 days.

Organic Pastures products were also recalled for pathogens in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The dairy was tied to a 2007 outbreak of campylobacter. Most notably, it was quarantined in 2006 after six children became ill with E. coli infections.

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