Hartmann Testifies Regarding Dairy Linked to E. coli Outbreak
Dairy farmer Mike Hartmann testified in a Sibley County, Minnesota courtroom yesterday in an attempt to recover food confiscated by state officials during an investigation into a May, 2010 E. coli O157 outbreak that was linked to raw (unpasteurized) milk produced at his dairy. The outbreak sickened at least 8 people, including a toddler who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe illness that causes kidney failure and can be fatal.
In June, 28 environmental and animal samples obtained by the Minnesota Department of Health from the Hartmann farm tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Twenty-six samples had the same DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.
Also in June, state officials confiscated milk, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products from Hartmann’s farm. Hartmann wants the confiscated food back. The state alleges that his dairy operation was unsanitary and the dairy products were adulterated under Minnesota law. The state wants the confiscated products from the Hartmann farm destroyed.
Tags: raw milk e coli
