Unpasteurized dairy products not safe for consumption

VANCOUVER – The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is advising British Columbians to discard any unpasteurized dairy products from the Home on the Range raw dairy in Chilliwack.

As part of an ongoing investigation by public health officials in Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, the BCCDC Public Health Labs recently tested products from this dairy, which distributes through a variety of outlets in the Lower Mainland. Products tested included unpasteurized raw milk, yogurt, cream, butter and cream cheese. Of these samples, five tested positive for fecal contamination.

These lab results mean these dairy products were contaminated with germs from the bowels of animals or humans. The risk of disease from consuming these unpasteurized products is very high and can cause serious illness in people, especially young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Locations where products were tested include Ethical Kitchen (North Vancouver); Controversial Kitchen (Vancouver); and Ayurveda (Vancouver).

Home on the Range raw dairy also distributes products to Anita's Pharmacy (Burnaby); Ladybug Organics (Surrey/Langley); and Rockwell Farms (Abbotsford).

Unpasteurized milk – often referred to as raw milk – is consumed directly from the cow, goat or sheep without any process to destroy disease-causing bacteria like E. coli, salmonella and campylobacter.

The sale of raw milk is illegal in Canada. There have been cases of illness caused by the consumption of raw milk in B.C., including in children who were given raw milk by well-intentioned parents. There is no credible or scientific evidence that raw milk produces any measurable health benefits over pasteurized dairy products.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family?

• Do not consume unpasteurized (raw) milk. Anyone can get sick from the disease-causing bacteria or germs, which may be found in raw milk.
• Infants, children, seniors, and people with certain chronic diseases are more vulnerable to infection and have higher risk of getting sick from drinking raw milk. Infants and children are at greatest risk of complications.
• Buy your milk products from only grocery or other commercial stores. Milk that you buy must be pasteurized and packaged at an approved dairy plant.

For more information on unpasteurized milk and food borne infections, visit:

Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website or visit the Pasteurized and Raw Milk Health File on the HealthLink BC website.

Contact

Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport
Jeff Rud, Communications Director
Tel: 250.952.2387

BC Centre for Disease Control
Ritinder Harry, Communications Specialist
Tel: 604.707.2412

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province of BC website.