Albany, N.Y. (WBNG Binghamton) -- The New York State Department of Health and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on Thursday warned consumers in Tompkins County and surrounding areas not to consume "unpasteurized" raw milk produced at Jerry Dell Farm located at 39 Fall Creek Rd (RT 366) in Freeville, due to possible contamination with Campylobacter.
The state Health Department received 2 reports of Campylobacter enteritis, from people who have consumed raw unpasteurized milk purchased from Jerry Dell Farm. Both patients have recovered.
Campylobacter can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and muscle pain. The illness usually occurs two to five days after ingestion and generally lasts for seven to ten days.
Anyone who purchased milk from Jerry Dell Farm and still has the product should discard it immediately. Individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illness symptoms after consuming milk purchased from Jerry Dell Farm should contact their health care provider.
The farm has voluntarily suspended milk sales. The farm was first notified of the reported illnesses on September 22.
Confirmatory tests completed today at the New York State Food Laboratory found that the raw unpasteurized milk produced at Jerry Dell Farm, and collected on September 22, contained Campylobacter. This producer will be prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of pathogens.
Jerry Dell Farm holds a NYSDAM permit to legally sell raw milk at the farm.
Raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, which eliminates all pathogenic bacteria, including Campylobacter. Producers who sell raw milk to consumers must have a permit from the NYSDAM and must sell directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced. These producers must also post a notice at the point of sale indicating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Farms with permits to sell raw milk are inspected monthly by NYSDAM.
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