The Pennsylvania Agriculture Department announced Monday that it has suspended two dairies’ raw milk sales permits because their products contained harmful bacteria.

The Elmer Z. and Martha B. King farm in Aaronsburg, Pa., will no longer legally be able to sell raw milk after Listeria was found in unpasteurized milk samples. Samples taken the same day from Cedar Hollow Farm in Mill Hall, Pa., tested positive for Campylobacter.

Listeria can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. However, it can infect the nervous system, and if left untreated can lead to meningitis.

Also known as gastro flu, Campylobacter can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, headache and muscle pain. In rare cases, Campylobacteriosis can lead to a disease known as Guillain-Barré syndrome which can cause temporary paralysis.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture suspended the Pasture Maid Creamery in New Castle, Pa., from selling raw milk after samples revealed Campylobacter in its unpasteurized milk products.

Permits for both dairies will be revoked until multiple samples from each farm test negative for dangerous bacteria.

Although there have not been any illnesses reported as a result of the potential contamination, consumers who recently purchased raw milk from either dairy should discard it immediately, said Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture officials in a press release.

Source:

PR Newswire. “Pennsylvania Agriculture Department Suspends Raw Milk Sales Permits for Centre, Clinton County Dairy Farmsa,” http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-agriculture-department-suspends-raw-milk-sales-permits-for-centre-clinton-county-dairy-farms-92107959.html; 26 April 2010.