Johannes Vulto Probation : Raw Milk Creamery Owner Sentenced to Probation for Fatal Outbreak

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Raw milk creamery owner
2. Fatal outbreak probation sentence

A man who owned a raw milk creamery has been sentenced to probation after two deaths linked to his products. Johannes Vulto was sentenced to three years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 240 hours of community service by U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks. Vulto’s company pleaded guilty to introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. The Food and Drug Administration found that Vulto’s raw milk cheese was the source of Listeria monocytogenes, resulting in eight illnesses and two deaths. The creamery was shut down in 2018, and Vulto was permanently enjoined from food manufacturing. The violations found at the creamery included poor sanitation practices and failure to prevent contamination.

The Raw Milk Creamery Incident in Upstate New York

A man who operated a raw milk creamery in upstate New York has been sentenced to probation after his products were linked to the deaths of two individuals. Johannes Vulto, the owner of the creamery, was sentenced by U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks to three years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 240 hours of community service.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred in 2016 when Vulto’s raw milk cheese was found to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, leading to the sickness of eight people and the deaths of two individuals. Vulto and his company pleaded guilty to causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, a misdemeanor offense.

Background of the Creamery

Vulto started producing and shipping raw milk cheese from his creamery in Walton in 2012. However, swabs taken from the creamery between July 2014 and February 2017 repeatedly tested positive for listeria species, according to court documents.

Legal Actions Taken

In 2018, the federal court permanently shut down the Walton creamery and prohibited Vulto and his company from manufacturing or distributing food. The Department of Justice filed for a permanent injunction against the creamery, citing serious health concerns related to the presence of Listeria bacteria.

Outbreak Investigation

The investigation revealed numerous violations at the creamery, including improper sanitation practices, failure to conduct necessary testing, and inadequate storage of equipment. The FDA found that Vulto lacked the knowledge and understanding to make corrections and comply with legal requirements.

FDA’s Response

Following the outbreak, the FDA urged Vulto to recall all of its cheese products, leading to a series of recalls in March 2017. Vulto agreed to destroy all cheese in its inventory and ceased production at the creamery.

Impact of the Outbreak

The outbreak affected individuals in multiple states, with two fatalities reported in Connecticut and Vermont. The CDC identified Vulto Creamery’s products as the source of the only multistate outbreak of listeriosis in the U.S.

Conclusion

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety regulations and the need for proper hygiene practices in food production. Consumers must be able to trust that the food they consume is safe, and authorities will continue to take action against manufacturers who do not adhere to the necessary standards.