August 30, 2010

US dairy finds salmonella source in recalled milk

Oregon-based Umpqua Dairy announced it has traced the source of salmonella that triggered a voluntary recall following reports of illnesses.

Umpqua President Doug Feldkamp said the salmonella was found in equipment that washes and sanitises crates receiving packaged milk and juice.

The company dismantled the entire case-washing system, including the conveyor belt, and sanitised it.

Packaging resumed at the plant Wednesday (Aug 25) but Feldkamp said the company will continue to monitor the system.

"They are completely in compliance," said Vance Bybee, head of food safety for the Oregon Department of Agriculture. "We have no reason to believe that there's any worry or concern for future contamination related to salmonella."

The discovery of a salmonella contamination on outside packaging closed the plant two weeks ago and led to Umpqua pulling all of its liquid milk products and juices off the shelves in Oregon and the Northwest.

The Oregon Public Health Division attributed 23 reports of illness in nine counties to the bacteria at the dairy. Two people were hospitalised. Many of the patients were children. All of them got sick the same way - touching tainted containers and then touching their mouths.