LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A Lancaster County farm was searched by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Food Safety on Thursday following a supposedly linked case of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E.coli).
According to the department, the search warrant was executed at Miller's Organic Farm in Bird in Hand. The warrant sought, along with other things, illegal raw milk and raw milk products, including eggnog.
The search was part of an active investigation into two food-borne illness cases in which people reported consuming food products from Miller's Organic Farm.
According to the affidavit in support of the warrant, the department was informed on Dec. 19, 2023, by the New York State Department of Health that they had confirmed a case of the foodborne pathogen STEC in an underage individual who reportedly consumed ground beef and "raw" eggnog from Miller's Organic Farm.
Additionally, the affidavit states that the Michigan Department of Health and the Michigan Department of Agriculture reported on Dec. 28 that an underage individual had tested positive for STEC. The individual claimed they had received products from Miller's Organic Farm, including raw milk and other milk, egg, cheese and meat products.
According to the Department's Bureau of Food Safety, Miller has never licensed his retail operation.
The investigation is ongoing.
