By: Candess Zona-Mendola of MakeFoodSafe

In a public health alert issued recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Health advises residents of Pennsylvania to avoid drinking milk from Creamworks Creamery in Waymart, Wayne County because it may be tainted with dangerous Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria. As of today, department is currently investigating 17 laboratory-confirmed illnesses as well as numerous additional reports of digestive illnesses. According to health agents, the illnesses seem to be connected to only milk sold at the dairy.

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According to the alert, the dairy makes, pasteurizes, and bottles their milk right on the farm for distribution to local customers – including restaurants and grocery stores. They also sell milk to the public at an on-site farm stand.

“While we continue our investigation, it’s important for anyone who bought milk from this dairy to throw it away or return it,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Creamworks Creamery has voluntarily stopped selling milk and is working with us to determine the source of the contamination. Anyone who consumed milk from Creamworks Creamery and became ill should contact their health care provider…”

Any person who consumed milk from Creamworks Creamery and became ill is advised to contact their health care provider to assure appropriate diagnosis is made and treatment is administered. Ill individuals, health care providers, or laboratories can contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).