Cozy Vale Creamery has voluntarily issued a recall of whole and skim milk, and cream, with a pull date of Dec. 6 or earlier. You can return any of these products to the Co-op for a refund or exchange.
Cozy Vale issued the recall after a test found E. coli bacteria on the floor of their milking and/or processing facilities. E. coli was NOT found on the cows, processing equipment, or in their milk. WSDA collects multiple monthly and surveillance samples at Cozy Vale (as they do at all raw creameries), and has not previously found contaminated samples. The creamery has shut down in order to thoroughly clean and sanitize the whole facility.
Three illnesses have been reported in Cozy milk customers since August. However, it is not confirmed that their sickness was caused by Cozy Valley's milk products.
E. coli infections may cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloody stools. Symptoms generally appear three to four days after exposure, but can take as long as nine days to appear. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider, the dairy advised.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 360-264-4663.
To read more about raw milk regulation in Washington, check out WSDA's information page.
