Raw Milk and Guacamole Recalled over Listeria

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball is warning consumers in Oneida County and the surrounding area not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from the Winters Grass Farm due to possible Listeria contamination. The Winters Grass Farm is located at 9104 Butler Road, Sauquoit.

A sample of the milk collected by an inspector from the department was discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On March 16, 2017, the producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result. No illnesses are known at this time by the Department to be associated with this product.

In Canada, Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health is getting the word out about a Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall for a brand of guacamole that may contain listeria. On Friday, the CFIA recalled Chef Destinations, Frankly Fresh Salads, and Fresh St brands Fresh Guacamole because it may permit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes.

Anyone who purchased the products listed is asked to throw them out or return them to the store. The health unit warns that food contaminated with listeria may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.

Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, which can be a serious and sometimes fatal infection in young children, cancer patients, elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although otherwise healthy persons may suffer only short-term, flu-like symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeriosis can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Republished with permission from Bill Marler and Marler Clark. Copyright (c) Marler Clark LLP, PS. All rights reserved.