Consumer Alert: Improperly Pasteurized Milk

ALBANY, NY (12/30/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today alerted consumers that Bethel Livestock Farm, located at 522 Happy Avenue, Swan Lake, New York, is voluntarily recalling additional milk products. This is the second batch of milk to be recalled this week due to improper pasteurization. Proper pasteurization heats milk in order to effectively eliminate all pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria and Salmonella.

The recalled milk products are sold under the name Bethel Creamery Pasteurized Whole Organic Milk (Kosher Cholov Yisroel) and packaged in half gallon plastic containers. The recalled products today have a use by date of JAN 11 2011 and were distributed to five stores in Orange and Rockland Counties. Earlier this week, Bethel Livestock Farm recalled product with the use by date of JAN 7 2011, which was distributed to six locations in Brooklyn and Rockland County.

Samples taken during a follow up inspection of the processing facility by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets' Milk Control and Dairy Services Inspectors and subsequent analysis of the product by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the product was improperly pasteurized.

No illnesses have been reported to date to this Department in connection with this problem.

Consumers who had purchased Bethel Creamery Pasteurized Whole Organic Milk with use by dates of either JAN 7 2011 or JAN 11 2011 are urged to return it to the place of purchase or discard the product.