Raw organic milk blamed for E. coli in 4 kids

updated 9:30 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2006

FRESNO, Calif. - Four children in three California counties got sick after drinking raw milk, prompting a state quarantine and recall against raw milk products from Fresno-based Organic Pastures Dairy.

The quarantine against raw milk and cream, announced Thursday, has been expanded to include raw butter, raw buttermilk and raw whey.

The children are in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties. At least two are in intensive care. The state Food and Agriculture Department says one of the others was released from a hospital.

Officials blame the e-coli bacteria. None was immediately found at the dairy, but tests are being done on raw milk samples pulled off grocery shelves.

But even before tests are done, state law allows for a recall when a food is making people sick.

Organic Pastures products are sold throughout California and online.

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