State probe finds deadly germ on dairy production line

By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

A state investigation has confirmed that the strain of bacteria that killed three people and sickened two others last year originated on the production line of a mom-and-pop dairy in Shrewsbury.

The germ was found on the floor of the production line at Whittier Farms, state Department of Public Health officials said this morning.

"Finding it in the environment there closes the final loop," said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state's director of communicable disease control.

Disease trackers discovered the bacteria during a stem-to-stern review of the Whittier production line conducted after the dairy became the prime suspect in the cases blamed on tainted milk. Investigators found different strains of listeria in a drain, an unwashed bottle, and another piece of equipment at the dairy.

Additionally, further tests of unopened milk collected from Whittier's retail store in Shrewsbury found that seven containers were contaminated with the same strain of listeria that made customers ill.

The dairy has been closed since late December, and state officials said that it will be allowed to reopen only after providing assurances that the facility can safely produce milk.