Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Campylobacter,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Raw Milk on December 28, 2025
Horning Family Farms, LLC is under the spotlight after at least two people diagnosed with Campylobacter infections reportedly consumed raw milk from the farm prior to becoming sick under the Country Cousin’s Farm label. This launched an outbreak investigation that revealed more information about the farm’s products.
What do we know about the potential outbreak involving Country Cousin’s Farm raw milk? How is raw milk different from pasteurized milk? What is Campylobacter and how do you know if you have it? What should you do if you get sick?
Here’s what we know so far!
According to the Consumer Alert, the New York State Department of Health received reports of Campylobacter illnesses associated on December 15, 2025.
The two sick individuals both consumed raw milk purchased from Horning Family Farms, LLC under the Country Cousin’s Farm label.
In response to this potential outbreak, investigators sampled raw milk from the farm and sent them to the lab for testing.
An inspector from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets collected a raw milk sample, which yielded preliminary positive results on December 19, 2025 for Campylobacter jejuni. On December 22, 2025, these results were confirmed through further laboratory testing.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner, Richard A. Ball, issued a warning for consumers in Jefferson County and the surrounding area in response to this potential outbreak linked to Horning Family Farms, LLC.
Potential Campylobacter Outbreak
Horning Family Farm, LLC
Country Cousin’s Farm Raw Milk
29415 Fults Road, Evan Mills, New York 13637
Consumers in the area should “not consume unpasteurized raw milk from Horning Family Farms, LLC due to possible Campylobacter jejuni contamination.”
The Department recommends that consumers who have purchased raw milk from this producer to immediately dispose of it
According to the Consumer Alert, Horning Family Farms, LLC has been temporarily prohibited from selling raw milk to the public. They will be prohibited to do so until “subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria.”
Raw milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization. A heat step designed to kill harmful germs.
Jefferson County area consumers who have purchased Cousin’s Family Farm raw milk may have been exposed to potential pathogens that might be found in raw milk which are killed when milk is pasteurized.
Pasteurization is a widely used process dating back to 1864, where the namesake inventor, Louis Pasteur discovered a way to treat beverages to kill harmful microorganisms that are responsible for diseases such as listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis.
The original purpose was to help increase the shelf life of things like beer, wine, and other beverages. However, it is most commonly associated with milk. As a result, the number of milk-related outbreaks has dropped from the 25% of annual outbreaks prior to mainstream pasteurization to only 1% now. It is important to note that of that 1%, 70% of those outbreaks were linked to raw milk.
Pasteurization involves heating the liquid to a minimum temperature of 145 °F for at least 30 minutes. Other methods have been developed to achieve this same result faster.
For example, one modern procedure is known as continuous flow pasteurization. This method involves heating at a High-Temperature, Short Time (HSTS) parameter. This method increases the temperature to 161 °F, but shortens the required time to just 15 seconds.
There are other pasteurization methods as well. Some extend the time and heat to a lower temperature. Others increase both for “ultra pasteurization” that allows milk to have an even longer shelf life.
All while killing harmful germs like Campylobacter. But Campylobacter isn’t the only bacteria to look out for.
There are several other germs commonly associated with raw milk that can cause preventable illnesses and diseases.
Other illnesses caused by raw milk pathogens may include:
Milk pasteurization is internationally recognized as an effected means of preventing foodborne illness outbreaks, including salmonellosis. But unfortunately, raw/unpasteurized milk is the common factor in these reported illnesses.
Campylobacter bacteria are a common cause of diarrheal and digestive illness.
Some of the more common ways of getting a Campylobacter infection include eating undercooked foods (poultry, seafood, meat, produce, etc.), consuming raw or lightly cooked food prepared with knives or on cutting boards used for raw poultry seafood or meat, and drinking untreated water. Or, in this case, drinking raw milk or consuming food made with it.
Specialized laboratory tests are required to determine if you have a Campylobacter infection. If you begin experiencing symptoms, reach out to your health care provider or your local health department.
Common Campylobacter symptoms include:
People often begin to feel sick around two to five days after ingesting something contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria. Most of the time symptoms are resolved within a week. However, some may experience additional complications.
Those with weakened immune systems, people receiving chemotherapy treatment, and those with a blood disorder are more likely to develop a life-threatening infection if the bacteria spread to the bloodstream.
Campylobacter infections can get very bad. Certain complications of Campylobacter infections can be long-term and even life-threatening. Those who consumed Country Cousin’s Farm raw milk are at risk for Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Reactive Arthritis are three well-known complications.
It is unclear if any outbreak patients required hospitalization or if they experienced any of these complications. Others may not be so lucky.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome impacts around 3,000 to 6,000 people in the United States each year. It is a type of complication causing an autoimmune-induced paralysis that attacks the nervous system.
This complication often starts as a weakness and tingling sensation in the arms and upper body. It can spread over the course of a few hours, days, or even weeks and worsen until muscles become paralyzed.
In most cases, those suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome recover within a few weeks. Others, unfortunately, may take years to recover or suffer permanent nerve damage.
Some people have even died of complications from Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Another potential complication of Campylobacter infection is irritable bowel syndrome. This is a condition often brought on by environmental triggers (such as a Campylobacter bacterial infection).
Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can often result in persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding/bloody stools, weight loss, and fatigue.
Campylobacter infections may also cause a type of joint condition known as reactive arthritis.
Reactive arthritis causes pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints (ankles, knees, and feet). It can also affect the eyes and urethra.
In some cases, it may take a year or more for relapses of reactive arthritis symptoms to finally resolve.
If you have been impacted by the Campylobacter outbreak associated with Country Cousin’s Farm raw milk, you might have questions.
Who is responsible for medical bills? What about missed work? What are your rights?
An experienced Campylobacter outbreak lawyer can help answer questions you may have. Even some that you may not have thought of. It is important to get advice right away, as some information is time sensitive.
If you have consumed potentially contaminated raw milk from Horning Family Farms, LLC Country Cousin’s Farm or the Jefferson County area, there are a few things you should do.
If you have consumed potentially contaminated raw milk, you may become sick. In some cases, it could take a week or more for symptoms to appear. Seek medical attention if you become sick. Even if you are not severely ill. Your sample may be linked to a potential outbreak investigation.
If you still have it, retain packaging and receipts if possible. Your purchase may help investigators narrow or widen the scope of the investigation. Your assistance may be able to help prevent others from becoming sick.
Finally, reach out to a Campylobacter lawyer. Salmonellosis can cause serious illness and loss. A Campylobacter Lawyer can help answer questions, investigate your illness, and file a claim to recover the financial burden associated with your illness.
If you have become seriously ill from Campylobacter in Linn County or the surrounding area, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Campylobacter Outbreak Lawyer that can help!
Call (833) 330-3663 or email today for your free, no obligation consultation. A compassionate member of our team will go over the details of your situation to help you decide if you have a legal case.
Don’t wait! Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)