Williams Valley Family Farm LLC of Clayton, WA, is recalling retail, raw whole milk because of E. coli contamination. The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) revealed the presence of toxin-producing E. coli in the farm’s unpasteurized, raw milk dated Oct. 20-28.

There is concern that consumers may have the milk in their homes because of the expiration date, which has not passed. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to drink them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the recall notice.

Recalled products:

Williams Valley Family Farm, LLC retail raw whole milk displaying Best By dates of Oct. 20 through Oct. 28.
The recalled product was bottled in gallon and half-gallon containers and was sold to customers in Eastern and Western Washington, including retail stores.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products are urged not to drink them and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Retail raw milk is legal to sell and buy in Washington State, but the potential health risks are serious. Consumers should read the warning label on the unpasteurized, raw milk containers carefully and ask their retailer to verify the milk was produced and processed by a WSDA-licensed operation.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has consumed any of the recalled milk and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor.

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients.

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

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