McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has been advised by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that a routine inspection at Ludwig Dairy Products, Inc., in Dixon, Illinois, found pasteurizing equipment operating improperly, potentially allowing raw milk to be mixed with pasteurized milk and sold in dairy products. Inspectors found a system controlled pump, designed to stop the production process if raw milk pressure exceeded pasteurized pressure, was bypassed and replaced with a pump not wired into the controls. No illnesses have been reported in connection with Ludwig (Dixon, IL) products.
Ludwig is currently taking its name brand products off store shelves, which are sold mostly in northern Illinois counties, including McHenry County, but also in Indiana, New Jersey and New York. A drinkable yogurt product is also sold under the Nuestro Queso brand. People who have purchased Ludwig (Dixon, IL) products should throw them out. IDPH states that Ludwig is working to determine the extent of the improper pasteurization. It is recommended that residents not consume any Ludwig (Dixon, IL) products until the pasteurizing equipment is operating correctly and been inspected by IDPH.
Pasteurization is the process of heating raw milk to a high enough temperature for a long enough time to kill illness-causing bacteria contained in the milk. Raw milk and products made from it (such as cheeses and yogurts made with raw milk) can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness, hospitalization or death. Illness can include days of diarrhea, stomach cramping and vomiting. Less common and more serious illness can include kidney failure, paralysis and chronic disorders. For more information, call MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585.
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