New York Listeria Alert: Raw Milk

December 21, 2006 – The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has warned consumers in the Allegany County area not to consume raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially-fatal foodborne pathogen.

According to New York State officials, the Snyder farm, located in Alfred Station, New York, holds a permit to sell raw milk and is subject to monthly testing by the Department of Agriculture and Markets. During a test earlier this month, Listeria monocytogenes was found in a sample of milk. Test results were confirmed on December 20, 2006.

Last week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of the CDC, reported 7 cases of listeriosis (Listeria infection) in New York. We assume New York health officials are looking into a possible connection between the cases of listeriosis and raw milk (there may also be a connection between the New York listeriosis cases and HoneyBaked ham and turkey, samples of which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes).

The incubation period for Listeria is long, up to 70 days. That means anyone possibly exposed to Listeria needs to watch for symptoms of Listeria for at least 2 months. The symptoms of a Listeria infectioin include fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, loss of balance and confusion. One-third of Listeria cases are pregnant women and their babies. Although a Listeria infection in a pregnant woman can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn, the pregnant woman may only experience mild symptoms.

Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., leading food poisoning litigation law firm, has recovered millions for victims of Listeria poisoning (listeriosis) and other foodborne illnesses, including a recent settlement for $6,425,000. To contact Pritzker | Ruohonen for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail Fred Pritzker or use the firm's online-consultation form.

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Foodborne Outbreaks

Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit