Friday, 20 September 2024 14:22

Raw milk recall following Campylobacter concerns

Written by Staff Reporters

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Because raw milk is not pasteurised, it does not go through the process that kills bacteria like Campylobacter.

Arran Trust has recalled specific batches of its Arran Farm brand raw (unpasteurised) drinking milk following concerns the product may contain Campylobacter.

The affected product was sold between 23 August 2024 and 17 September 2024 and was sold through a vending machine at Arran Farm Milk Shop in Feilding. It has not been exported.

The product under recall was identified through routine testing.

New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general Jenny Bishop says the concern is that the Arran Farm raw milk may contain Campylobacter, a foodborne bacterium that can cause illness.

“The raw milk should not be consumed,” Bishop says. “Return it to Arran Farm for a refund or, if that’s not possible, throw it out.”

“You can also heat the raw milk until just boiling for one minute to kill any bacteria present before drinking it,” she adds.

“Drinking raw milk carries inherent risks as it may contain harmful bacteria that are killed through the pasteurisation process,” Bishop notes.

Because raw milk is not pasteurised, it misses out on the process that kills harmful bacteria.

Symptoms of Campylobacter infection include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, and body aches.

The consequences of getting sick from raw milk can be serious for vulnerable people, including pregnant women, older people, babies and young children or those with low immunity.

New Zealand Food Safety recommends those vulnerable people avoid drinking raw milk.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your general practitioner or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

“As is our usual practice, we will work with Arran Trust to understand how the contamination occurred and to prevent its recurrence,” Bishop says.

For up-to-date information, visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/food-recalls-and-complaints/recalled-food-products/arran-farm-brand-raw-drinking-milk-unpasteurised/

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