New Jersey Issues Camden Milk Contamination Recall After 40 Preschool Kids Drank Sanitizer

New Jersey has immediately issued a milk contamination recall following an incident in two Camden early education schools, where more than 40 preschool children accidentally drank sanitizer.

According to Fox 29, Guida's Dairy 1% Lowfat Milk supplies were ordered removed from all school cafeterias across the state after an emergency team was dispatched at Camden's Early Childhood Development Center and the Riletta Twyne Cream Childhood Development Center. They confirmed that batches of the milk carton had peroxyacetic sanitizer.

At least 25 impacted children have been hospitalized at the Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes and the Cooper Medical Center. Five of the kids were discharged in no time, while the rest of the children were examined, observed, and later cleared to go home with their parents.

Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako also confirmed that all the preschool kids exposed to the milk contamination recall are now in stable condition and could return to school by Monday, April 4. However, the investigations into the milk contamination recall are far from over.

Guida's Dairy Cooperating with Authorities

Reports cited that New Jersey's emergency services received a 911 call from the Early Childhood Development Center in the morning. Soon after, the first responders were also dispatched to the Riletta Twyne Cream Childhood Development Center. By the afternoon, the contamination had impacted four more public preschools.

Preliminary results showed that some half-pint milk cartons of Guida's Dairy 1% Lowfat Milk with an April 11 sell-by date and a specific time code stamped between 4:30 to 7:30 had diluted sanitizer. However, as a precautionary measure, the manufacturer and distributor, based in Connecticut, agreed to recall all of the batches with the same sell-by date, regardless of the time code.

According to a spokesperson from Guida's Dairy, the contaminated milk has an obvious chemical smell. Once they were informed of the incident, they took action and conducted tests to verify the risks. They have also cooperated with the directives of the state's Department of Agriculture to ensure that corrective measures are undertaken.

None of the contaminated products are commercially sold at grocery stores, per NBC Connecticut. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also joined in the investigations.

What Happened to the Milk?

According to the Courier-Post, investigators believe the sanitizer came from the packaging's cleaning process. The sanitizer is a colorless chemical called Vortexx, which is usually diluted in water. It is non-toxic and often used for airtight packages to prevent bacteria and mold.

Unfortunately, the milk cartons were "filled with the sanitizer, sealed, and then shipped out with the milk." About 95 batches are deemed contaminated.

The school district has also decided it will not serve any milk until the investigations are over. Instead, the children will be served water, juice, or chocolate milk coming from a different supplier.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Health said that any other person who may have ingested a batch from the milk contamination recall and experiencing concerning issues could phone 856-549-0530 for emergency assistance.