Improper pasteurization drives milk recalls

Chocolate milk sold in New York State is being recalled due to improper pasteurization, New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said.

The milk was produced by Meadowbrook Farms Dairy, located in Clarksville, NY. No illnesses have been reported to the company in connection with this issue to date.

Pasteurization involves briefly heating the milk to a temperature high enough to destroy pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, brucella and Salmonella. Unpasteurized or raw milk has been linked to many food poisoning outbreaks over the years.

The chocolate milk was sold throughout the Capital Region. The milk is packaged in half-gallon glass containers that were processed on April 24, 2024. The lot of milk included in this recall has a black dot on the cap indicating the lot code.

The recall was initiated when a routine inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets revealed that the batch had been improperly pasteurized.

If you have purchased this product, do not consume it or use it in cooking due to the possibility of cross-contamination. You can throw the milk away in a secure bin, or you can return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.

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