Pelleh Farms of Swan Lake, New York has recalled its Pasteurized Whole Organic Milk Non-Homogenized products due to improper pasteurization.

At least it was almost pasteurized. In the demographic that thinks organic food is good, vaccines are bad, and science stopped at 1860, raw milk is on trend. They intentionally go without pasteurization in the belief that it contains more nutrients than safe milk.

Proper pasteurization heats milk to 161 degrees Fahrenheit to effectively eliminate all pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria and Salmonella.  Raw milk chooses to let such bacteria remain, which is why pasteurization is credited with saving hundreds of millions of children since it became commonplace.

The recalled Whole Organic Milk was sold in Rockland County and Brooklyn under the name Bethel Creamery. The product was packaged in a 64-fluid ounce plastic (organic...in plastic) with a USE BY APR 08 2018 date. Throw it out, get a refund, but don't drink it. The company has likely fixed their thermostat by now, since they were not forced to close their doors as another New York creamery was.

To date, no illnesses have been reported to the New York State Agriculture Department in connection with this product, unlike the previous creamery. The improper pasteurization was discovered as part of a scheduled routine inspection by the state. Organic food contains no surprise spot testing the way conventional does so this could have been happening for a while.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that “raw milk can contain harmful germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites” so to reduce risk of getting sick , always choose pasteurized milk. cheeses, especially soft cheeses, that you buy should also be made from pasteurized milk. If raw milk used in cheese has been aged for 60 days it will be okay, but if someone denies 150 years of microbiological science, they are probably willing to deny they aged cheese for 60 days.