Bottled Raw Milk Recalled In CT After 2 Confirmed Cases Of Illness

HARTFORD, CT — Officials have recalled and stopped the sale of bottled raw milk from a Bridgewater-based dairy company after two human cases of Campylobacter illness were confirmed, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday.

The bacterial illnesses are "related to the consumption of bottled raw milk" from Nature View Dairy and are under investigation by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Health, according to officials.

Nature View Dairy is complying with the voluntary recall of all raw milk products from retail distribution locations in Connecticut, including farm stores, natural food, and grocers, officials said.

"Consumers should be cautious when ingesting raw milk products, especially those in high-risk categories," Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt said. "Our agency is dedicated to ensuring that all farm products are safe for consumption through routine sampling and testing on the farm as well as working in tandem with our sister agency on investigations to protect public health."

Additional samples of bottled raw milk were collected and tested resulting in a positive test result for campylobacter, according to officials. This bacterium is the number one cause of human foodborne illness.

Campylobacter can frequently be found in raw milk or undercooked meats. The most common signs of human illness are diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that may be accompanied by vomiting and nausea, officials said.

Symptoms usually start two to five days after the person ingests campylobacter bacteria and last about one week.

The illness is usually self-limiting and does not require antibiotics, but children aged 5 and younger, pregnant people, adults 65 and older, and those with a weakened immune system are at an increased risk for serious illness, according to officials.

"Those who exhibit symptoms of Campylobacter infection that last more than two days should contact their health care provider," DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD said.

Consumers who have purchased bottled raw milk from Nature View Dairy should discontinue use, and either discard or return the bottle to where they purchased it for a full refund, officials said.

"Pasteurization is a process that removes disease-causing germs by heating milk to a high enough temperature for a specific length of time," the Department of Agriculture said Tuesday. "Raw or unpasteurized milk can be a source of foodborne illness."

The department continued: "While good practices on farms can reduce contamination, they cannot guarantee safety from pathogens. Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption."