Here’s what you need to know:
- Date: February 4, 2025
- Announced By: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and published on Food Safety News on February 5
- Company: Charles B. Curtiss dba Willow Marsh Farm
- Product: Unpasteurized Raw Milk
- Issue: Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Keep reading to find out more!
What happened?
On February 4, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets issued a recall for unpasteurized, raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm in New York after finding out it was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. After an inspection from the Department, the milk was discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On Jan. 30, the producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result. Further laboratory testing, completed on Feb. 4 confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria.
What caused the issue?
When it comes to Listeria monocytogenes contamination in food, the risks are serious, especially for certain groups. Here’s a more detailed look at what this means for consumers and the potential health impacts:
Health Risks of Listeria Infection
Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that can cause a potentially life-threatening infection known as listeriosis. While the bacteria might not cause immediate harm to everyone who is exposed, it can have severe consequences for certain individuals. Here’s how it affects different people:
- Flu-like Symptoms: Common symptoms of listeriosis include nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Sometimes, it can be mistaken for other illnesses, like the flu or food poisoning.
- Pregnant Women: Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis. Although they may experience only mild symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, stillbirth, or infection of the newborn. This is because Listeria can cross the placenta and infect the baby.
- Elderly Individuals: Older adults are also at higher risk due to weakened immune systems, which can make it more difficult for their bodies to fight off infections. Severe infections can lead to hospitalization or even death.
- Immune-Compromised People: Those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, people living with HIV/AIDS, or individuals undergoing immunosuppressive treatments (like chemotherapy), are also at significant risk. The infection can lead to more serious complications like septicemia (blood infection) or meningitis (brain infection).
- Young Children: Children under the age of 5 may not have fully developed immune systems, which puts them at greater risk of developing severe symptoms of listeriosis, potentially leading to hospitalization.
In some cases, Listeria infections can be fatal, particularly for vulnerable populations.
10 questions you might have
- What is Listeria monocytogenes, and why is it dangerous?
- Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that can cause foodborne illness (listeriosis). It can lead to severe symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and even serious complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, or meningitis, especially for pregnant women, the elderly, and immune-compromised individuals.
- How can I tell if I have consumed contaminated raw milk?
- Listeria can take up to 70 days after consumption to show symptoms. If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or neck stiffness, seek medical advice immediately and inform your doctor about the potential Listeria exposure.
- What should I do if I have raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm?
- If you have purchased unpasteurized raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm, you should dispose of it immediately. Contact the farm at (518) 288-3347 for further guidance.
- How does Listeria contaminate raw milk?
- Listeria can be present in the milk if the cows were infected or the milk was not properly handled or stored. In raw milk, the bacteria is not killed because the milk hasn’t undergone pasteurization, which is a process that eliminates harmful bacteria.
- Can cooking or boiling the raw milk kill the bacteria?
- No, boiling or heating raw milk after purchase may not be enough to completely kill Listeria or other harmful bacteria. Pasteurization is the specific process used to effectively kill these bacteria without altering the milk’s quality too much.
- Is it safe to drink raw milk from other sources?
- Drinking raw milk always carries a risk of contamination with harmful bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, or E. coli. Pasteurized milk is the safer option to avoid foodborne illnesses.
- How do I know if the milk I bought is part of this recall?
- The recall applies to any unpasteurized raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm. Unfortunately, specific lot numbers or barcodes are not provided, so you may need to check your receipts or contact the farm directly to confirm if your purchase is affected.
- What are the symptoms of listeriosis, and how long do they take to appear?
- Symptoms of listeriosis include nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Symptoms can appear within 2 to 70 days after exposure.
- Are there any confirmed cases of illness from this batch of milk?
- As of the recall notice, no illnesses have been reported to the Department of Agriculture related to this contaminated batch of milk, but consumers should still take caution.
- What should I do if I get sick after consuming the raw milk?
- If you develop symptoms after consuming the raw milk, particularly if you are in a vulnerable group (pregnant, elderly, immunocompromised, or young), seek medical treatment immediately. Inform your healthcare provider about the possible exposure to Listeria.
Here’s what you should do
Any consumers who purchased raw milk from Charles B. Curtiss dba Willow Marsh Farm immediately dispose of it and call the farm at (518) 288-3347. If you have consumed it, you should seek medical attention.
Behind the brand
Willow Marsh Farm is a 5th generation-diversified family farm raising beef, veal, Mangalitsa pork, and dairy cows. They make a variety of flavored Greek yogurt, cheeses, and cheese curds with our milk. They have a permit to sell raw milk and carry Battenkill Valley Creamery heavy cream, chocolate milk, eggnog, and ice creams.
Unfortunately, this is not the first Listeria case the industry has had recently. On January 3, Abbey Specialty Foods from New Jersey recalled their Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz packages for possible Listeria contamination. And, on December 27, 2024, the California-based company Braga Fresh voluntarily recalled their 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets, sold exclusively at Walmart.
Ensuring safe eats!
This recall serves as a reminder to the industry about the importance of proper food safety measures. Pasteurization may seem like an extra step, but it’s a crucial one. The process kills harmful bacteria, ensuring that what you’re consuming is safe. While Willow Marsh Farm hasn’t had major recalls in the past, this event calls for a renewed emphasis on safety, especially in the raw milk sector.
“In today’s food industry, safety should always be the top priority. While unpasteurized products like raw milk may have their place in niche markets, the risks associated with harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes are not to be taken lightly. It’s essential for all producers to prioritize strict food safety protocols, not just to protect public health but to maintain trust with consumers. Transparency, proper handling, and pasteurization are key steps to ensuring safe, high-quality products for everyone.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’s CEO.
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