K A S H R U T . C O M_©

September 30, 2026 from the NY Dept. of Agriculture

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today warned consumers in Oneida County and the surrounding area not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from Big Brook Farm due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Big Brook Farm is located at 6063 Weaver Road, Lee Center, NY 13363. To date, no illnesses have been reported to the Department associated with this product.

A sample of the milk collected by an inspector from the Department was discovered to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. On September 24, 2026, the producer was notified of a preliminary positive test result. Further laboratory testing, completed on September 29, 2026, confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk sample. The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria.

The Department recommends that any consumers who purchased raw milk from Big Brook Farm immediately dispose of it and call the farm at (315) 281-5306. It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time. Pasteurization kills the bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and brucellosis. Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis.