Concerns over pathogens in raw milk has led the Washington State Department of Agriculture to suspend the processing plant license for Pride and Joy Dairy, Inc.
The dairy has retained its producer license and is still allowed to ship its products to other processing facilities for distribution. However, the Pride and Joy Dairy Inc. processing facility in Toppenish will be out of operation until points of contamination can be identified and addressed. At this time, the WSDA is advising consumers to avoid any retail raw milk products with a Pride and Joy label.
The WSDA acted to suspend the dairy’s processing license after recent tests conducted by the Department of Health confirmed the presence of salmonella pathogens in milk samples. Those positive samples matched a unique salmonella Dublin strain that resulted in the hospitalization of two people last January. Salmonella pathogens were first detected by the WSDA in September.
The WSDA previously advised Pride and Joy to recall all of its market products with best-by dates of Oct. 4 and later. The dairy initially declined to take any action but then conducted a limited recall effort.
Salmonella can cause serious illness, including death. Young children, the elderly and anyone with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and, in some cases, arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. The WSDA advises anyone who experiences those symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately.
Last February, products from Pride and Joy Dairy Inc. were marked for recall after testing found Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in raw milk. That testing was prompted by previous reports of salmonella at the dairy.
Pride and Joy Dairy Inc. has until Oct. 16 to file an appeal of the suspended license.
