Raw Milk Linked to NC Campylobacter Outbreak

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people not to drink unpasteurized milk from South Carolina-based Tucker Adkins Dairy because it may be contaminated with Campylobacter. Three confirmed cases and five probable cases of campylobacteriosis infection in neighboring North Carolina have been linked to the farm's raw milk.

Federal law mandates that milk sold across states lines must be pasteurized to protect the public health; however, there is no law against drinking raw milk. The raw milk associated with the outbreak was packaged in 1-gallon containers and distributed in North Carolina by a courier. It is unknown whether the raw milk may have been distributed in other states. The retail sale of raw milk is legal within South Carolina; however, it is prohibited in North Carolina where it sometimes distributed through informal "milk clubs."

The debate over raw milk versus pasteurized milk has made headlines the past year as consumers want the freedom to rebel against the industrialized by drinking locally grown, natural products but are being prevented from doing so by laws that prohibit the sale of raw milk. However, health officials contend raw milk can contain several harmful organisms, including Salmonella, E. coli and brucellosis that can cause severe illness and even death. In fact, a number of states experienced outbreaks of foodborne illness this year that were tied to raw milk.