Health Law

Pennsylvania suspends farmer's license to sell raw milk: listeria found in product

By Drew Falkenstein

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today suspended the liscense of Alvin J. Stoltzfus, who operates a farm in Paradise, Lancaster County, to sell raw milk.  The suspension occurred due to tests by the Department of Ag that found Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in raw milk from the farm, prompting the Department of Ag to also issue an advisory to the public to discard any milk purchased from Stoltzfus's farm:

The Department of Agriculture today advised consumers who purchased raw milk from Alvin J. Stoltzfus, of Paradise, Lancaster County, to discard the product immediately because of potential bacterial contamination.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized.

A Department of Agriculture lab found Listeria monocytogenese in a milk sample taken from the dairy on June 7. The bacteria's presence violates the Milk Sanitation Law.

Mr. Stoltzfus agreed with the department's request to stop selling raw milk for human consumption.

Officials said Stoltzfus agreed to stop selling raw milk for human consumption. The department is moving to suspend his raw milk permit until additional samples are tested and found to be safe.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on June 16, 2010 (boomark / email).