County Health Department: Raw Milk Sold in North Hills May be Tainted

The Allegheny County Health Department is advising residents to discard raw milk produced by “Your Family Farmer” in Chambersburg, Franklin County, and sold under the label “The Family Cow,” because of potential bacterial contamination.

The product is sold at seven locations in Allegheny County, including the Eichner’s Family Farm in Wexford and the East End Food Co-op in Point Breeze. It also was sold directly to consumers at five drop-off points throughout Allegheny County. 

The drop-off points are on McKnight Road in Ross, in the parking lot beside Jo Ann Fabrics,  Bethel Park, in the parking lot behind Tony’s Auto Center and South Hills Church of Nazarene; Swissvale, Getz Memorial Park; Green Tree, parking lot of Beth El Congregation; and at Pittsburgh Mills, in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has confirmed two cases of Campylobacter infection in people who consumed the raw milk. 

Based on a consumer complaint, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected raw milk from “Your Family Farmer” Dairy on July 29. The positive test results for Campylobacter were confirmed Monday, August 5.

Most people who become ill from Campylobacter have diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever two to five days after exposure. Illness typically lasts about one week.

Most infected people will recover on their own, without medicine. Young children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions and immunocompromised persons are at risk for complications. 

In some cases, treatment with fluids and/or antibiotics is needed.

People who consumed raw milk and have prolonged diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain should contact their health care provider for testing and possible treatment.

There have been no recently confirmed Campylobacter cases in Allegheny County thus far. 

This isn't the first time the health department has warned residents about consuming raw milk from Your Family Farmer.  

In May, five people, including an Allegheny County resident, drank the unpasteurized milk and suffered illnesses confirmed to be related to Campylobacter. 

At the time, Eichner's owner Ron Eichner told Patch his business stopped selling the milk six weeks prior to the breakout of illness.

The Your Family Farmer dairy has ceased production until further notice.