Raw milk from an Arlington dairy is being recalled after tests showed that a sample of milk with an Oct. 25 expiration date was tainted with penicillin.
The recall was issued because people who are allergic to penicillin can have a severe reaction after being exposed to it, including anaphylactic shock.
Overall, 76 gallons and 67 half-gallon containers of milk with the Oct. 25 expiration date were produced at the dairy, said Jim Sinnema, manager of the Old Silvana Creamery.
Some of the milk was bought directly from the Pioneer Highway farm and the rest was distributed at seven stores in Marysville, Kirkland, Carnation, Duvall, Everett and Snohomish, he said.
Follow-up testing of milk samples from the dairy with an expiration date of Oct. 26, 27, and 28 found no trace of penicillin, Sinnema said.
The state Department of Agriculture conducts routine testing of raw milk sold to the public each month, which is how the problem at the Arlington dairy was discovered, said Hector Castro, a spokesman for the state agency.
Sinnema said he posted the notice of the problem on the dairy’s Facebook page on Thursday, shortly after being notified of the testing results by the state agency.
The dairy farm has a herd of 20 cows and has been selling raw milk for nearly a year, Sinnema said.
One of the herd’s cows was recently treated for an infection. Milk from any cow that is given penicillin to treat an infection is held out of production for four days, he said.
However, some milk from that cow was inadvertently mixed with milk from other cows, Sinnema said.
Milk containing even trace amounts of penicillin must be pulled from stores, he said.
Consumers with milk included in the recall can return it to the store they purchased it or to his dairy if purchased there for an exchange or refund, Sinnema said.
The dairy is continuing to produce and distribute raw milk, he added.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
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