Raw milk from Fisher’s Dairy in Portersville, Pennsylvania, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. In 2006, Fisher's Dairy gave up its raw milk permit, but state inspectors found that the dairy had begun selling raw milk again without a permit.

“During an investigation of the dairy, inspectors purchased raw milk which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes," said Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "If consumers have raw milk from this farm, they should discard it immediately."

No illnesses have been reported as a result of the potential Listeria contamination, but if people who consumed the raw milk become ill, they should consult their physicians.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has detained all milk products at the farm. Samples were taken from the farm on March 6, and tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes on March 10.

Symptoms of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) are fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.

Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, but infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. (Read about Listeria/listeriosis miscarriage.)

Symptoms of listeriosis can appear in four days to two months. To date, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has not received any reports of illness related to the Fisher's Dairy Listeria risk.

Posted March 2008.

Labels: Listeria, Listeria lawyer, raw milk