Bacteria Halts Raw Milk Sales From Pennsylvanian Farm

On Tuesday, May 28, raw milk from a southern Pennsylvania farm, The Family Cow, tested positive for campylobacter, forcing a recall of all their raw milk.

Five people in southern Pennsylvania have been infected with the bacteria, which affects the intestinal tract, various other organs, and the bloodstream. A spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Agriculture Department confirmed that the farm was ordered to stop selling raw milk until further notice.

However, this isn't the brand's first run-in with customers becoming ill from their product. In January 2012, 78 people were affected by contamination of their milk, making it the largest food-borne outbreak related to raw milk in Pennsylvania since 2006. The Family Cow resumed sales of raw milk after February 6, 2012, after they were cleared by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Raw milk, which is unpasteurized, is known for its numerous health benefits —it is a good source of Vitamins A and D, amino acids (it contains all 20), and calcium. As a result, this product is becoming increasingly popular, despite recent controversy relating to contamination.