CT Dairy Accused Of Putting Sanitizer In Kids' Milk

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Agriculture is investigating Guida’s Dairy in New Britain after some of its milk products were found to contain diluted sanitizer.

The investigation started Wednesday after an early childhood development center in Camden County, NJ called 911 to report that 25 children had ingested milk that had an “antiseptic-like odor,” according to county officials. A similar report was made by another early childhood development center in New Jersey.

A total of 45 students and one staff member were sent to hospitals for evaluation. Camden County health officials said that everyone who was exposed to the milk has been released.

A preliminary investigation found that the contamination is limited to milk cartons that were processed within a specific time frame, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. The milk had a limited distribution in New Jersey.

Guida's told Patch in a statement that the contamination occurred when, "a food-grade sanitizer diluted with water was inadvertently introduced during production."

The affected milk isn’t sold at grocery stores and is limited to institutional customers. The company has advised institutional customers to dispose of all 1% low-fat half-pint milk cartons with a sell-by date of April 11 out of an abundance of caution.

Guida’s Dairy is cooperating fully with the Connecticut investigation, according to the Department of Agriculture.