You may have noticed a rise in recalls of dairy milk products in Oklahoma, but what exactly is a food recall? According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a food recall occurs when a food manufacturer removes a product from the market due to concerns that it may cause illness in customers. Government authorities may request a food recall in certain circumstances.
Recalls of food products can occur for a class of reasons, including but not limited to the findings of bacteria such as Salmonella and parasites such as Cyclospora; foreign items, such as shattered glass or metal, and a severe allergy that is not on the product label.
According to the Oklahoma Department Of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF), it alerted a statewide recall on July 8th on raw milk products made by Swan Bros. Dairy, Inc. of Claremore, Oklahoma, due to the confirmed presence of Listeria. Listeria is a type of bacteria that can be found in soil, water, and some animals such as cattle and poultry. When Listeria is consumed, it causes Listeriosis, one of the most dangerous types of food poisoning that can cause fever, chills, and muscle aches to name a few.
This infection can primarily affect expectant mothers causing miscarriages, stillbirths, premature birth, or life-threatening disease in the baby. Also, this is a worst-case for elderly adults and people with compromised immune systems as it can also cause harmful and occasionally fatal infections. If a person has flu-like symptoms within two months after ingesting contaminated food, they should seek medical attention and inform their physician.
The company strongly advises anyone who has purchased or received raw milk products to discard any remaining products right away.
You may be wondering: is there a better alternative? The good news is there is quite a variety of dairy milk alternatives to choose from. Like almonds, oats, and cashews. There are many health benefits to trying non-dairy milk. For example, non-dairy milk beverages typically contain fewer calories, less fat (except for coconut-based milk), more water (which is better for hydration), and less protein (except soy). Some are supplement with additional vitamins and nutrients.
Check out these types of plant-based milk alternatives beverages.
Non-dairy milk-alternative beverages may be beneficial to those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk. It is also ideal for those who dislike the flavor of dairy milk. For example, while I am not a fan of milk, I enjoy a bowl of cereal in the morning. Fortunately, there are non-dairy milk alternatives that have a creamy flavor and substitute in many recipes.
Keep in mind that some of the non-dairy options are not suitable for people who are allergic to nuts or soy. If you have any questions or concerns, you should always consult your doctor before changing your diet.
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Writer's Note: Tell me what your favorite plant-based milk is. Is there one that I didn't mention? Let me know in the comments below. There are a lot more plant-based milk beverages, the slideshow demonstrates popular choices.