- Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop in Northern Ireland recalled all batches of its raw cow's milk (Ken's Raw Jersey Milk) due to potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a dangerous pathogen.
- STEC infection can cause severe symptoms like bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and life-threatening kidney damage (hemolytic uremic syndrome). Consumers were advised to discard or return the product and avoid work/school for 48 hours after symptoms subside.
- While advocates promote raw milk for its gut and immune benefits, health agencies warn that unpasteurized dairy may carry pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. While pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, it destroys beneficial enzymes and heat-sensitive nutrients.
- The recall reflects broader issues in the U.K., where 2024 saw a 2.5-fold increase in unsafe food products compared to 2023 despite fewer recalls overall.
- The incident echoes past outbreaks, such as a deadly 2003–2004 E. coli outbreak in Shropshire that killed 10 people, underscoring ongoing regulatory vigilance.
A Northern Ireland farm shop has issued an urgent recall of its raw cow's milk after tests revealed possible contamination with a dangerous strain of Escherichia coli.
Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop issued a recall notice for all two-liter bottles of its Ken's Raw Jersey Milk. While only limited to Northern Ireland, the recall applied to all products regardless of batch or use-by dates.
"If you have bought the above product, do not drink it or use it to make dairy products," the farm shop’s notice warned. Affected products must be disposed of or returned.
The recall followed warnings by the British Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the affected raw milk products may contain Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Infections arising from this foodborne pathogen can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and, in severe cases, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) – a life-threatening condition that damages kidneys. The FSA has advised affected consumers to avoid work or school for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside to prevent further spread. (Related: E. coli found on 24% of chicken from seven UK chain stores.)
The product recall raised concerns about food safety and the alleged risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy. The debate on this matter has raged on for decades between advocates of natural foods and public health officials.
Raw milk: Superfood or super risk?
Despite controversy, raw milk is celebrated by many as a nutrient-rich superfood that offers benefits for the gut and the immune system.
Raw milk does not undergo pasteurization, the standard heat treatment that kills any harmful bacteria that might be present. Critics argue that skipping this process leaves raw milk vulnerable to pathogens like STEC, Salmonella and Listeria. Health agencies worldwide also maintain that the risks of consuming raw milk far outweigh any unproven benefits.
But proponents argue that raw milk is best consumed as it is, because pasteurization destroys beneficial enzymes and many nutritive components, such as B vitamins and vitamin C, that are heat-sensitive. It can also denature whey proteins, which reduces their biological activity.
The recall by Kenneth Hanna's Farm Shop follows a troubling rise in food safety incidents in the United Kingdom. The year 2024 saw a 2.5-fold increase in products unfit for consumption compared to 2023, despite an overall decline in product recalls since 2022.
Moreover, it also echoes past outbreaks. One such E. coli outbreak happened from 2003 to 2004 in Shropshire. This outbreak in the West Midlands killed 10 people – a grim reminder of why regulators remain vigilant more than 20 years on.
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