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. 2012 Mar;18(3):385-91.
doi: 10.3201/eid1803.111370.

Nonpasteurized dairy products, disease outbreaks, and state laws-United States, 1993-2006

Adam J Langer  1 , Tracy Ayers, Julian Grass, Michael Lynch, Frederick J Angulo, Barbara E Mahon
Affiliations

Nonpasteurized dairy products, disease outbreaks, and state laws-United States, 1993-2006

Adam J Langer et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Mar.

Abstract

Although pasteurization eliminates pathogens and consumption of nonpasteurized dairy products is uncommon, dairy-associated disease outbreaks continue to occur. To determine the association of outbreaks caused by nonpasteurized dairy products with state laws regarding sale of these products, we reviewed dairy-associated outbreaks during 1993-2006. We found 121 outbreaks for which the product's pasteurization status was known; among these, 73 (60%) involved nonpasteurized products and resulted in 1,571 cases, 202 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths. A total of 55 (75%) outbreaks occurred in 21 states that permitted sale of nonpasteurized products; incidence of nonpasteurized product-associated outbreaks was higher in these states. Nonpasteurized products caused a disproportionate number (≈150× greater/unit of product consumed) of outbreaks and outbreak-associated illnesses and also disproportionately affected persons <20 years of age. States that restricted sale of nonpasteurized products had fewer outbreaks and illnesses; stronger restrictions and enforcement should be considered.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of dairy product–associated outbreaks, by year and pasteurization status of product, United States, 1993–2006.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Legal status of nonpasteurized dairy product sale or distribution, by state, United States, for A) 1993, B) 1999, and C) 2006. Gray shading indicates states where nonpasteurized dairy product sale or distribution was permitted. States outlined in black changed legal status during the study period.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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