North Carolina Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk

As many as eight people in North Carolina may have fallen ill after drinking contaminated raw milk from a South Carolina dairy, federal health investigators are warning. 

The FDA announced a raw milk recall on July 16, warning that there have been three confirmed cases and five probable cases of campylobacteriosis, a type of food poisoning, tied to unpasteurized milk sold by Tucker Adkins Dairy in York, South Carolina. The FDA is warning to consumers not to drink Tucker Adkins raw milk.

All of the illnesses occurred among residents of North Carolina, where raw milk is illegal. The milk was delivered to the victims by courier, the FDA states. Although raw milk is legal in South Carolina, it is illegal for South Carolina dairies to sell raw milk through interstate commerce.

The eight potential victims come from three different households in North Carolina and all reported drinking raw milk from Tucker Adkins Dairy that they bought there on June 14, 2011. All eight fell ill in mid-June. One of person was hospitalized. 

Unpasteurized milk, also known as raw milk, has become an increasing health trend due to the belief that there are additional health benefits. However, raw milk has not been treated to kill organisms such as E. coli and Salmonella. According to the FDA, sale of raw milk is only allowed in 20 states, and it is illegal to sell across state lines. Minnesota only allows the sale of raw milk directly from the farm where it was produced.

Campylobacteriosis is a common cause of diarrhea, which is sometimes bloody. Other symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain and fever, nausea and vomiting. The illness usually last for two to five days, but can sometimes last up to 10 days. Long-term complications are rare but can include arthritis and a nerve condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome where the body’s immune system begins to attack the nervous system. The condition lasts for several weeks and usually requires intensive care. About 124 deaths are attributed to campylobacteriosis each year.

The FDA recommends that consumers not drink raw milk of any kind and urges anyone with Tucker Adkins Dairy raw milk to dispose of it. The milk was delivered in one-gallon containers and it is unclear whether it was sent to other states as well.

The FDA is working with North Carolina and South Carolina health officials to investigate the outbreak and remove any remaining Tucker Adkins Dairy raw milk from the market.