Organic Pastures, in association with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), has recently conducted a statewide recall and quarantine of their raw milk products after five children became infected with an identical strain of E.coli. While a routine inspection of the dairy farm’s Fresno facility revealed no traces of E. coli 0157:H7 contamination, epidemiologic data collected by the California Department of Public Health has linked the illnesses to Organic Pastures raw milk products.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with E. coli food poisoning after consuming contaminated Organic Pastures products involved in this recall, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Fresno Raw Milk Recall Overview
Organic Pastures Dairy Company became California’s first raw milk dairy farm with certified organic pasture land in 2000. Having been recognized by the National Farmers Organization on several counts, Organic Pastures gained a solid reputation for producing Grade A, 100% pasture grazed raw milk products. However, news of a potential E. coli contamination has threatened to tarnish their once pristine name.
According to the CDFA, raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures have recently become the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine. The quarantine and recall orders came after a notification from the California Department of Public Health acknowledged a cluster of five children who were infected, from August through October, with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7. Due to stringent state laws, the contamination was contained with the state of California. However, the contaminated products were consumed by children living in Contra Costa, Kings, Sacramento, and San Diego counties.
After conducting a string of interviews with the affected families, evidence suggests that Organic Pastures raw milk products were the only common reported food exposure. According to a CDFA News Release, “only about three percent of the public report drinking raw milk in any given week so finding 100% of these children drank raw milk and the absence of other common foods or animal exposures indicates the Organic Pastures raw milk is the likely source of their infection.” Three of the five children were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition associated with the E. coli bacterium. While no deaths have been reported, the severity in which E. coli affects an individual may have overwhelming ramifications on a person’s health.
Recalled Raw Milk Products
According to the recall and quarantine issued by the CDFA, all Organic Pastures raw dairy products, with the exception of cheese aged a minimum of 60 days, are to be removed from the shelves of retail stores. Subsequently, the quarantine prevents Organic Pastures from producing raw milk products for the retail market until further notice. The following Organic Pastures raw milk products are also subject to the current recall and quarantine:
- Raw butter
- Raw cream
- Raw colostrum
- Qephor
E. Coli Complications
Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection may include abdominal cramps and diarrhea which is often bloody. Most infected people recover within a week; however, some may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which includes kidney failure.
Do I Have a Fresno Raw Milk Recall Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in food poisoning lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with E. coli food poisoning after consuming contaminated Organic Pastures products involved in this recall, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.