Raw Milk Cheeses Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

 Posted on March 19, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

Vulto Creamery of Walton, New York has recalled eight of its cheese products amid concerns of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled products are its Blue Blais, Hamden, Willowemoc, Miranda, Heinennellie, Walton Umber, Ouleout, and Andes raw milk cheeses, which were distributed nationwide and primarily sold at retailers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The products were also found in Chicago, California, Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon.

Listeria is a strain of bacteria that can cause severe food poisoning symptoms when consumed, particularly when it is consumed by individuals with weakened immune systems. When left untreated, Listeriosis can spread to the nervous system and cause the victim to suffer from convulsions, confusions, a stiff neck, and loss of balance. Treatment requires the use of antibiotics, which can be costly. Individuals who suffer from Listeriosis after being served or sold contaminated products may seek compensation for their damages through personal injury claims.

How are Raw Dairy Products Harmful?

Raw diary is dairy products that have not been pasteurized. Pasteurization is a heating process that kills harmful bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1,500 people in the United States became ill after consuming raw dairy products between 1993 and 2006. There are no nutritional differences between pasteurized and unpasteurized dairy products.

Why Purchase Raw Dairy Products?

Knowing the food poisoning risks that it can pose to consumers, you might be wondering why anybody consumes raw dairy products. Many consumers choose raw dairy products because of their different taste from pasteurized products. Others make this choice because they feel that raw dairy products provide them with beneficial bacteria and enzymes that promote digestive health. Although it has been disproved, many consumers continue to purchase and consume raw dairy products because they think doing so will prevent lactose intolerance and allergies to dairy.

If you choose to consume raw dairy, you are choosing to risk suffering from a foodborne illness. If you are elderly, pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, your risk is significantly greater than that of an adult who is not in one of these groups. Do not give young children raw dairy products.

Work with an Experienced Elk Grove Food Poisoning Lawyer

Listeria poisoning, though it can subside fairly easily through antibiotic treatment, can also have serious complications, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems. If you or your child suffer from the effects of Listeria poisoning after consuming a raw dairy product that another party should not have served or sold to you knowing its contamination risk, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about filing and pursuing this type of claim, speak with one of the experienced food poisoning lawyers on our team at Newland & Newland, LLP. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation with us. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Alexander Maasch)