The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on Thursday issued an advisory that certain batches of raw milk cheeses from a Centre County dairy are contaminated.
Department inspectors took samples from Stone Meadow Farm in Woodward on Dec. 12 and the samples tested positive for the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus, according to a release.
The warning is only for the farm’s raw 60-day aged Havarti cheese and raw 60-day aged Colby cheese, which are labeled with the Stone Meadow Farm name and its address. No other Stone Meadow Farm products are affected. Anyone who purchased the affected products should discard them or contact the dairy.
The cheeses were sold between October and mid-December. No illnesses associated with the cheeses have been reported.
‘Signs and symptoms of Staphylococcus Aureus food poisoning include sudden onset of severe nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. A fever also may be present,’ according to the department. ‘Any person who consumed a product from one of the affected lots and has symptoms should consult their physician, visit their local state health center, or call 877-PA HEALTH (724-3258).’
The farm sells cheeses in half-pound blocks at the Boalsburg Farmers Market and the Millheim Farmers Market, as well as in five-pound blocks at Elk Creek Café in Millheim. They also are sold at the Susquehanna Valley Growers Market in Lewisburg
