Milk recall: Is your milk on this recall list?

Milk recall affects consumers in five northeastern states.

The failure of a pasteurization equipment at a milk plant in Menards, N.Y., has led to a voluntary milk recall in five northeastern states.

Consumers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island should check their milk cartons to see if they've been recalled, according to New York State's agriculture department.

The milk affected came from Midland Farms and was sold in plastic containers under these four brands: Midland Farms, Corrado's Market, Jersey Dairy Farms, and Trade Fair Premium.

Although no illnesses have been linked to the failed equipment and tests of the milk showed no problem, Midland Farms recalled all the milk. Much of the product was still at the plant, but an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 gallons had already been sent to 123 customers, says Jessica Ziehm, spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

"They there were really responsible," she says. "They just decided to recall all of the product. It was a precautionary measure."

New York's agriculture department is urging consumers not to use the milk, since unpasteurized milk can contain pathogens.

Here's how to check to see if your milk is involved in the recall:

All the milk cartons are plastic and come in sizes from pints to gallons. Check near the top of your carton for a printed plant code of 36-1661 and a "sell by" date of Sept. 24. On the bigger cartons, it will appear as SEP24; on the smaller ones, 9/24/10.

If you have a match, dispose of the product or take it back to the store where you purchased it. The store should provide a refund, according to Midland Farms.

Here's a list of the specific recalled products posted on the US Food and Drug Administration's website:

Recalled gallon containers:

• · "Midland Farms Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Reduced Fat, 2% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Low Fat, 1% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Fat Free Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Corrado's Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Corrado's Market Reduced Fat, 2% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Corrado's Market Low Fat 1% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Corrado's Market Fat Free Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Jersey Dairy Farms Vitamin D Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Trade Fair Premium Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Trade Fair Premium Reduced Fat, 2% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Trade Fair Premium Low Fat, 1% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Trade Fair Premium Fat Free Milk" with the date code SEP24

Recalled half-gallon containers:

• · "Midland Farms Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Reduced Fat, 2% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Low Fat, 1% Milk Fat Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Midland Farms Fat Free Milk" with the date code SEP24
• · "Jersey Dairy Farms Vitamin D Milk" with the date code SEP24

Recalled quart containers:

• · "Midland Farms Fresh Whole Milk" with SELLBY 9/24/10
• · "Midland Farms Reduced Fat Milk" with SELLBY 9/24/10
• · "Midland Farms Fresh Low Fat Milk" with SELLBY 9/24/10
• · "Midland Farms Fresh Fat Free Milk" with SELLBY 9/24/10

Recalled pints:

• · "Midland Farms Whole Milk" with SELLBY 9/24/10