Raw SA milk linked to gastro cases

Raw milk from a South Australian dairy has been banned from sale after being linked to at least five gastro cases.

SA Health says Moo View Dairy must recall all raw milk, and will be prohibited from selling or distributing the unpasteurised milk under the Public Health Act.

Associate Professor Kevin Buckett says the sale of raw cow's milk for human consumption is illegal in Australia due to its high risk of contamination.

Moo View Dairy labels its raw milk not fit for human consumption.

But Professor Buckett said at least five cases had been confirmed where people aged from three to 70 had contracted gastrointestinal illness after consuming raw cow's milk products purchased from the dairy.

"This number is likely to be higher," he said.

"Luckily, these people did not require hospitalisation, but it is important to remember that raw cow's milk products should not be consumed as they can contain harmful bacteria."

Prof Buckett said the action against the dairy followed investigations by SA Health's Food Safety and Communicable Disease Control Branch teams.

"In June we noticed higher than expected numbers of cryptosporidiosis cases and following interviews and investigations, we identified Moo View Dairy's raw cow's milk as a common factor between five cases," he said.

"We've also identified another two potential cases that implicate raw cow's milk as the cause of illness."

Prof Buckett said anyone who had purchased raw cow's milk from Moo View Dairy should dispose of it immediately.

He said the recalled product was sold in one, two and three-litre plastic bottles.