PIERRE, S.D.(KELO-AM) -The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is reporting listeria in a sampling of bottled raw (unpasteurized) milk from Jerseydale Farms near Brookings, S.D.
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture advises consumers that bottled raw milk recently purchased from this business may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to listeria infection.
According to the South Dakota Department of Health, listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and individuals with weakened immune systems. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. A person with listeriosis may have fever, muscle aches and sometimes nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions can occur.
For more information on listeria, please visithttp://doh.sd.gov/diseases/infectious/diseasefacts/Listeriosis.aspx.
The contaminated bottled raw milk was sold in the Brookings County area. If you have purchased this bottled raw milk, SDDA advises the product be discarded or returned.
State bottled raw milk rules require permits for dairies selling raw milk directly to consumers. Inspections are required at least annually depending on grade of milk; dairies must also submit samples monthly for bacteria and residue testing.
To find more information on SDDA’s inspections, rules and laws for raw milk production, visithttp://sdda.sd.gov/farming-ranching-agribusiness/dairy-dairy-plants/.
Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating over $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 122,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online athttp://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SDAgDept and Twitter @SDAgriculture.