CDFA ANNOUNCES RECALL OF RAW MILK PRODUCTS AT CLARAVALE FARM OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

Consumers urged to dispose of raw dairy products due to bacterial contamination

SACRAMENTO, March 23, 2012 - Raw milk, raw nonfat milk and raw cream produced by Claravale Farm of San Benito County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford. The quarantine order came following the confirmed detection of campylobacter bacteria in raw cream. 

Consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any product remaining in their refrigerators with code dates of “MAR 27” and earlier, and retailers are to pull those products immediately from their shelves.

On March 19th, Claravale Farm voluntarily ceased distribution of its products after CDFA made a preliminary positive finding of campylobacter in raw cream. The stoppage of distribution included goat milk, as well. No illnesses have been definitively attributed to the products at this time. However, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently conducting an epidemiological investigation of reported clusters of campylobacter illness where consumption of raw milk products may have occurred.

According to CDPH, symptoms of campylobacteriosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Most people with campylobacteriosis recover completely. Illness usually occurs 2 to 5 days after exposure to campylobacter and lasts about a week. The illness is usually mild and some people with campylobacteriosis have no symptoms at all. However, in some persons with compromised immune systems, it can cause a serious, life-threatening infection. A small percentage of people may have joint pain and swelling after infection. In addition, a rare disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome that causes weakness and paralysis can occur several weeks after the initial illness.

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