Health officials are warning consumers not to drink raw, unpasteurized milk and not to eat certain cheese products sold under the BeiHollow brand because tests have found Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Dauphin County, PA warning says that the producer of the unpasteurized products will not post a list of where the products were sold. Some of the dairy products are believed to have been sold by retailers in south-central Pennsylvania retail stores.
Products implicated include raw, whole and chocolate milk, melted cheese and cup cheeses. The products were sold from October 12 to 21.
About Listeria Infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell bad, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any implicated product and has developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and inform their physicians of possible exposure to Listeria.
In addition, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should self-monitor for symptoms over the next few weeks, as it may take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and stiff neck. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are at particular risk for serious illness, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
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