The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) announced today that tests for the presence of Campylobacter in raw milk at the Woolsey’s Dairy of Payson, Utah returned negative results. The UDAF asked the dairy on March 21, 2007 to voluntarily stop selling raw goat and cow products to the public after a health advisory issued by the Utah County Health Department associated illness among more than a dozen consumers who drank raw milk from the dairy.

The UDAF lab was unable to culture any Campylobacter bacteria from nine samples obtained from the Woolsey dairy. Four of the samples were taken last week. Those samples were not part of the original milking that is associated with the illnesses. Five other samples, offered from consumers who were diagnosed with Campylobacter illness, had deteriorated in quality.

Laboratory Director, Dr. David Clark said Campylobacter is a difficult organism to culture because it is susceptible to stress and fluctuating pH levels.

The UDAF cautions consumers to be aware that raw milk, like most raw foods, is not risk free, and that consumers should store and prepare foods properly. Do not cross-contaminate foods by preparing items on unwashed cutting boards, wash hands thoroughly, and properly store foods at temperatures below 41 degrees F.

The UDAF continues to monitor milk produced at raw and pasteurized dairies and will work with them to minimize health risks to consumers.

3/22/2007 - Press release regarding Notice of Investigation