HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Department of Agriculture has informed Norman Z. and Edith B. Sauder of Kutztown, Berks County, that they may resume raw milk sales from Jersey Hollow Farm after two raw milk samples taken on separate days tested negative for Salmonella.
A Department of Agriculture lab found Salmonella in a milk sample taken from the dairy on July 19. The bacteria's presence violated the Milk Sanitation Law; however, the Sauders corrected the problem before a suspension of their raw milk permit took effect. No illnesses were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. Pennsylvania farms selling raw milk must hold a permit from the Department of Agriculture and have milk samples lab-tested due to the health risks associated with consuming unpasteurized milk.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The symptoms can appear anywhere between six hours and four days after infection.
For more information about food safety, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.
Media contacts: Justin Fleming, 717-787-5085
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture