Organic Pastures Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak (2011)
An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak prompted a quarantine and recall of Organic Pastures raw milk products in November, 2011. According to California health officials, at least 5 children became ill with E. coli infections between August and October after drinking Organic Pastures raw milk. The same strain of E. coli O157:H7 was isolated from the five children, who are residents of Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties.
Three of the five children who developed E. coli infections after consuming Organic Pastures raw milk were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure.
Organic Pastures Products Recalled for Potential E. coli Contamination
Under the recall, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days are to be pulled immediately from retail shelves and consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any products remaining in their refrigerators. Until further notice, Organic Pastures may not produce raw milk products for the retail market. The order also affects Organic Pastures raw butter, raw cream, raw colostrum, and a raw product labeled “Qephor.”
While laboratory samples of Organic Pastures raw milk have not detected E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health link the illnesses with Organic Pastures raw milk.
According to a California Department of Food and Agriculture press release issued November 15, 2011, CDFA milk and dairy foods safety experts have begun a complete inspection at Organic Pastures dairy. All aspects of operations, from the cows to the bottling plant, will be inspected. Before the quarantine may be lifted, the facility must meet all sanitation requirements under state law. Additionally, raw milk products will be tested to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Prior E. coli Outbreak Linked to Organic Pastures Raw Milk Products
In In September of 2006, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) determined that Organic Pastures raw milk products were the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among six children; two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).