The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food reinstated a permit to sell raw cow’s milk to a West Jordan dairy that had its license removed in September for connections to illness.
Utah Natural Meat and Milk had its Raw for Retail permit suspended in September after campylobacter bacteria found in its milk samples was linked to 14 illnesses. The people infected with campylobacteriosis ranged in age from 2 to 73, with 10 of the 14 living in Salt Lake County. Two people were hospitalized but are now recovering at home.
The dairy’s permit was reinstated on Tuesday.
“Food and consumer safety are our priorities at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food,” said UDAF Commissioner Craig Buttars. “While we did not take suspending the license of this small farm and business lightly, it was important that we ensure the milk products were safe for consumption. We are grateful for the efforts by the UDAF team as well as the dairy owners to isolate the cause of the illnesses and to ensure the milk is safe to be sold once again.”
Per state statute, the dairy had to submit three clean tests following the outbreak for its permit to be reinstated. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said the dairy owners took “appropriate action” and worked with the department inspectors to make improvements.
All raw milk products produced in Utah undergo monthly sampling and testing by the state.
“Nevertheless, raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe,” a release from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said.
The department encourages people who consume raw milk products to heat raw milk to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds before consuming, and to keep all raw milk products refrigerated at or below 40 degrees, to decrease the chance of foodborne illness.
