Campylobacter cases prompt raw milk recall

A New Zealand raw milk producer has issued a recall after three people fell ill.

Lindsay Farm HB has recalled some batches of its branded organic raw milk because the product may contain Campylobacter.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said three related illnesses have been reported. The agency advises anyone who has consumed any of the products and has concerns about their health to seek medical advice.

Raw milk or unpasteurized drinking milk is sold in 2-liter plastic bottles. The affected product batch numbers are 2310, 2410, 2510, 2610, 2710, 2810, 2910, 3010, 3110, 0111 and 0211. The shelf life is from October 27 to November 5, 2023. This item is sold at Hawke’s in the Bay Area via home delivery and at several registered warehouses.

MPI urges anyone who purchased the affected product not to eat it and to return it to the retailer for a refund. Heat to 70°C (158°F) and hold at this temperature for one minute before serving.

From 2019 to mid-2023, 10 outbreaks related to the consumption of raw milk broke out in New Zealand.

In 2022, Lindsay Farm was fined for failing to comply with rules on the sale and supply of raw milk. The company said it did not initially sign up to the raw milk legislation due to distribution restrictions. In August 2020, milk produced by the company caused a Campylobacter outbreak. Thereafter, they were registered as per regulations.

Annual report highlights
MPI also released its annual report for 2022-2023. Overall, New Zealand Food Safety managed 156 food recalls in 2022/23.

Two major incidents were hepatitis A in frozen berries and salmonella in tahini. Between June 2022 and July 2023, an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred due to people eating frozen berries, with 39 confirmed cases. There is a link between the cases and frozen berries from Serbia.

In February 2023 and June 2023, Salmonella was detected in products containing tahini imported from Turkey and Jordan. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority supports 13 companies in conducting consumer-level recalls. 54 products containing tahini have been removed from distributors and consumers’ homes. There are no confirmed cases of salmonella linked to the incident. New Zealand plans to tighten controls and oversight of companies importing ground sesame products.

New Zealand is also trying to reduce the incidence of foodborne campylobacteriosis per 100,000 people. The goal is to reduce cases per 100,000 people per year from 87 to 69 by 2026, a 20% reduction. The notification rate for 2022 is 81 cases per 100,000 people.

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