FREEVILLE, N.Y. – Officials with the New York State Agriculture and Markets Department are warning consumers about a possible Salmonella contamination in raw milk sold at a Tompkins County farm.
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A routine sample of milk at Jerry Dell Farm that was recently tested by the department was found to be contaminated with Salmonella, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said Wednesday. No illnesses associated with the product have been reported.
Jerry Dell Farm, located at 41 Fall Creek Road in Freeville, holds a state permit that allows it to sell raw milk. Sampling is performed by the state every three months.
The farm was notified of the positive test result on Nov. 18 and agreed to stop selling raw milk until the product is ruled safe for consumption.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems, officials said in a news release. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Producers who sell raw milk must sell directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced and must post a notice at the point of sale indicating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, officials said in the news release.
The department recommends that any consumers who recently purchased raw milk from Jerry Dell Farm to dispose of it and call the department at 518-457-1772.
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