Dairy farm pledges cooperation with probe into listeria deaths
The Central Massachusetts dairy under investigation for its role in four cases of a serious bacterial infection is pledging to cooperate with state disease trackers. Two of the victims, elderly men, died earlier this year after developing a condition called listeriosis.
"We are a family owned and operated business with a reputation for providing fresh farm milk to our customers," Whittier Farms said in a statement. "We strive to produce the best product and therefore we are extremely concerned about the situation and will be working to obtain the results of the investigation. As soon as we receive more information, we will provide further details."
The mom-and-pop farm, which voluntarily halted production yesterday, does not sell its products through major retailers, company officials and major grocers confirmed today. Karen Peirce, a spokeswoman for Shaw's Supermarkets, said none of its stores carry Whittier products.
The state Department of Public Health last night urged consumers to stop drinking all Whittier products, including milk sold under brand names such as Whittier, Schultz, Balance Rock, Spring Brook, and Maple. The dairy's customers are mainly in Worcester County, buying the milk at Whittier's two stores in West Sutton and Shrewsbury, or having it delivered directly to their doorstep.
The owner of one of the companies that delivers Whittier milk recorded a heart-felt message on his business's phone line. In the recording, Maple Farm Dairy owner Brian Gay says that "due to the media reports ... I am forced to stop delivery of all Whittier Farms products. I am as shocked by these news reports as I'm sure all of you are and have little information at this time. Your deliveries will be affected for approximately one week. I'm going to line up another milk source. Please throw away any milk that you have just in case, and you will be credited."
Two People Die After Drinking Tainted Milk.
Massachusetts health officials warned consumers Friday not to drink milk products from a dairy after the deaths of two elderly men who consumed products contaminated with listeria bacteria.
Whittier Farms has suspended operations and distribution until a source of contamination is identified, said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state's director of communicable disease control.
The Department of Public Health identified a total of four cases of listeriosis during the past six months. Two of the victims, a 78-year-old man and a 75-year-old man, died from the infection in Worcester County in June and October.
A pregnant, 34-year-old woman recovered from the illness but her pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, DeMaria said. None of the victims were identified for privacy reasons.
He said DNA fingerprinting showed that the bacteria causing the infections came from a common source. Samples collected showed product contamination.
The bacteria can cause listeriosis, a rare but potentially fatal disease that can kill babies and people with weakened immune systems and cause miscarriages in pregnant women. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
"We don't exactly know how this happened," DeMaria said. "People are at low risk, but they shouldn't be consuming these products until we have completed our investigations."
Officials at Whittier Farms did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
According to its Web site, the 500-acre farm in Sutton is operated by the fourth and fifth generations of the Whittier family. The dairy has a processing plant in Shrewsbury and also operates two retail stores.
A message left on an answering machine at the Sutton store said the store was presently closed and that information to date was inconclusive. The message said the owners would be addressing the issue as soon as possible.
The bulk of the firm's distribution is home delivery.
Whittier Farms' milk products are sold under several brand names, including Whittier, Schultz, Balance Rock, Spring Brook and Maple, state health officials said.