Local Child's E. Coli May Be From Raw Milk

Local county health officials hope to pull Organic Pastures from store shelves

Five children, including a local 5-year-old, may have contracted an E. Coli infection after drinking raw milk.

Local health officials said the infection was traced back to Organic Pastures Dairy in Fresno, which the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health is working to recall from store shelves.

Five children were infected by E. coli between August and October. The only common reported food exposure was to unpasteurized milk produced by the Organic Pastures Dairy, according to an investigation by the California Department of Public Health.

β€œThis infection can be very serious in young children and it’s important that people dispose of any remaining Organic Pastures products in their refrigerators, with the exception of cheese that has been aged a minimum of 60 days ,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer.

Organic Pasture released a statement claiming their products have been tested for the pathogen.

β€œIt has been reported to us by the California Department of Public Health that as of [Tuesday] all products collected from the ill patients have been negative for E. Coli,” the statement read.

The dairy has also been quarantined and is not allowed to produce raw milk products for the retail market.

Organic Pastures Dairy Co. owner Mark McAfee told the Associated Press that he will appeal the recall by State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.

A hearing on the matter was set later Wednesday, AP said.

 

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