PA Lifts Hendricks Raw Milk Permit And Then Gives It Right Back

Posted by Campylobacter Attorney on September 20, 2008

Only last week's Dow experienced more up and downs than Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Franconia, PA.

On Sept. 12th, the state Department of Agriculture suspended the farm's raw milk permit  and instructed the Hendricks to stop selling raw milk for human consumption unless and until the permit is reinstated.

"HF&D is very concerned by the health issues some families have suffered from recently," the company said in a statement on its Web site last Sunday. "We are willingly complying with the Commonwealth's recommended temporary discontinuation of fluid raw milk sales."

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized.

However before a full week had passed, the state did re-issue Hendricks' permit.

Lab tests on samples of raw milk from a Montgomery County farm linked to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in at least 10 people came back negative for the campylobacter bacteria, the state Department of Agriculture reported on Wednesday.

However, a sample of raw milk purchased at the farm by a Bucks County resident did contain the bacteria.

The farm's Trent Hendricks wasn't accepting responsibility for that one, however.

“It was out of our control,” he said.   Hendricks points to the fact that no pathogens have ever been found in the milk at his farm and the farm has never been found in violation of any regulations. “We have the best track record in the state.”

We still have to wonder about the state of regulation in Pennsylvania.   It appears that when the Commonwealth's Ag Department is making the call, the tie goes to the farm.

For more, go here.

  

 

 

Organic Pastures Hit With Quarantine Order - Campylobacter Bacteria With Your Cream?

Posted by Campylobacter Attorney on September 11, 2008

We cannot resist saying it.  Our friends at Organic Pastures have stepped into again.   This just in from the State of California:

Grade A raw cream produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County –product with the code date SEP 12—is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Richard Breitmeyer. The quarantine order came following the detection of campylobacter bacteria in the cream. The detection was confirmed this morning.

Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of food-borne illness in the United States. At this point, no illnesses have been reported. People with symptoms who consumed this product should consult their physicians.

Under the recall, Organic Pastures Grade A raw cream labeled with a SEP 12 code date is to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any product remaining in their refrigerators.

As readers of Bill Marler's blog know, this is not the first time.  Check this one out: Organic Pastures - "Where There is Smoke, There is Fire."

We wonder what kind of signs or other information Whole Foods is providing its customers today!