A small Southland dairy company has had to stop distributing its milk, yoghurt and cheese while the Food Safety Authority investigates the source of bacterial contamination in milk and yoghurt produced by the company.
The FSA has ordered the recall of two litre containers of milk produced by Happy Valley Dairies on or after 15 October and is warning people not to drink it because it may contain high levels of E. Coli bacteria.
Last week, the company was also ordered to recall yoghurt dated 7 October, after another bacteria, Listeria was found in a sample.
Happy Valley Dairies operates a farm and processing plant near Tuatapere in Western Southland, producing dairy products from its own herd.
It sells its fresh milk, yoghurt and cheese at retail outlets and farmers markets around Southland.
The FSA says the E. Coli contamination was found during routine testing.
The agency will check if there are any links between the E.Coli and Listeria contaminations.
Listeria usually produces only a mild gastro-intestinal or flu-like illness in adults, but can cause life-threatening illnesses in some people, including the elderly, young children, and pregnant women.
