Milk Withdrawn over Potential Cleaning Agent Contamination

Prairie Farms, a dairy company located in Illinois, has announced a voluntary recall of its fat-free milk due to potential contamination. Hundreds of gallons of the product may contain food-grade cleaning agents, which can pose health risks if ingested.

Details of the Milk Recall

The recall specifically affects select Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk products. It was triggered after the company identified a potential quality issue on November 24. An investigation was promptly initiated, leading to the withdrawal of the affected milk from store shelves.

• Product: Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk
• Recall Date: November 24
• Contamination Concern: Food-grade cleaning agents
• Distribution: Sold at Woodman’s stores in Illinois and Wisconsin
• Estimated Sold Volume: 320 gallons

Identification of the Recalled Products

The recalled milk can be identified by specific codes:

• DEC08 code date
• PLT19-145 plant code
• Impacted Production Window Timestamp: 17:51–21:23
• UPC: 7273023117

While no illnesses linked to this recall have been reported, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers not to consume the product. Instead, they should return it to the place of purchase for a refund or dispose of it safely.

Recent Dairy Product Recalls

This incident is part of a troubling trend regarding dairy product recalls in the United States. Recently, Boar’s Head issued recalls for several varieties of pecorino romano cheese due to potential Listeria contamination. The Ambriola Company, associated with Boar’s Head, has also recalled products over similar concerns.

• Last Week’s Recall: Boar’s Head pecorino romano cheeses
• Health Risk: Possible Listeria monocytogenes
• Status of Illness Reports: No illnesses reported

Classified as a Class I recall, these products could result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects. Listeria can cause severe illness, especially among vulnerable populations.

Health Implications of Listeria

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include:

• High fever
• Severe headache
• Stiffness
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain

Listeria is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., responsible for approximately 260 deaths each year. Although healthy individuals may experience mild symptoms, severe cases can lead to invasive illness and complications.