Health Dept. Urges Discard of Family Cow Products After Illnesses.
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has issued an urgent public health alert, advising consumers to immediately discard all The Family Cow brand raw milk products due to confirmed Salmonella contamination. This warning follows the identification of four Allegheny County residents who became sick with Salmonella infections since July 1, 2025, after consuming these products. The affected items include raw milk sold in various container sizes (pint, half-gallon, gallon) and a variety of raw-milk cheeses.
The contaminated products were distributed from The Family Cow’s retail store in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and through its online store, which facilitates pickups at several locations, including six in Allegheny County. This broad distribution network means the potentially infected products reached numerous consumers. The ACHD’s swift action aims to prevent further illnesses by removing these dangerous dairy products from circulation and alerting the public to the significant health risk.
This local alert is part of a larger ongoing investigation by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Agriculture, which have been looking into more than 70 reported Salmonella infections across the state since August 2024. Several individuals affected in this wider outbreak reported consuming raw milk products from The Family Cow, strengthening the link between the farm’s products and the illnesses. Laboratory testing conducted in July 2025 by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of Salmonella bacteria in product samples from The Family Cow farm.
Health officials emphasize the inherent risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Raw milk has not undergone the pasteurization process, which involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. This process, which does not diminish milk’s nutritional value, significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illness. Medical experts reiterate that raw milk is unsafe for consumption, likening it to eating raw chicken, due to the potential presence of dangerous pathogens.
Consumers who have purchased any The Family Cow brand raw milk or raw-milk cheese products are strongly urged to discard them immediately. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, typically appearing 12 to 72 hours after consumption. Vulnerable populations, including children under five, adults over 65, and individuals with compromised immune systems, face a higher risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization. Anyone experiencing symptoms after consuming these products should seek immediate medical attention.
Source: CBS Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Health Department warning about Family Cow raw milk products
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