"Pasteurized milk is a fridge staple we consider completely safe to consume, given that it's been heated to at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit to destroy any potential pathogens. And yet, it was pasteurized milk from Hillfarm Dairy that caused one of the worst salmonella outbreaks in U.S. history in 1985. The contaminated milk was produced on March 20 and 30, 1985. On April 1, the public was notified of the potential danger in the two milk lots, and the entire Hillfarm Dairy production was shut down on April 9. Illinois, the home of Hillfarm, was the most affected state in the outbreak, with over 15,000 reported cases."
"Several people died as a result of the outbreak, although the exact number is shrouded in mystery. The New York Times reported as early as April 17, 1985, that "at least nine deaths have been linked to the outbreak." But a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health told Dairy and Food Sanitation a year later that "the organism 'directly caused' the deaths of two persons and was a contributing factor in the deaths of four, possibly five, others." The general consensus of the health authorities, however, was that the real count was likely higher."
Pasteurized milk from Hillfarm Dairy caused a major Salmonella outbreak in 1985 despite pasteurization. The contaminated milk was produced on March 20 and 30, 1985, with public notification on April 1 and a full production shutdown on April 9. Illinois was the hardest hit, with over 15,000 reported cases, while neighboring states reported about 1,000 cases combined. Among the first 765 cases, 58% were children under age 10. Several deaths occurred, though exact numbers remain uncertain; early reports linked at least nine deaths, and health officials later attributed two direct deaths and several contributing deaths to the organism. A five-month task force investigation concluded a most likely cause.
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