Barton Farm Dairy in Kentisbury, Barnstaple, Devon is recalling its raw cow’s drinking milk due to a potential link to two cases of E.coli O157 infection, according to a Food Standards Agency news release Thursday.
In the release, the agency said it was recalling all sizes of the raw milk product, warning people not to consume any and to contact the dairy for further advice.
The Barnstaple-based Barton Farm Dairy stressed that it had not yet been confirmed that the children became ill due to drinking the milk.
Raw milk is from cows, goats or sheep that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. This raw, unpasteurized milk can contain dangerous bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, which are responsible for causing foodborne illness. Other products that contain raw milk, such as cream or queso fresco, can also cause foodborne illness.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.
The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/less than 38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Around 5–10% of those who are diagnosed with STEC infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
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