Prairie Farms Dairy Milk Recall: What Consumers Need to Know

On November 25, 2025, Prairie Farms Dairy announced a significant recall of its gallon-sized fat-free milk products due to potential contamination with food-grade cleaning agents. The recall, which affects consumers primarily in Illinois and Wisconsin, represents an important reminder of the critical role that quality control and rapid response play in the food and beverage industry. This article explores the details of the recall, what consumers should do, and the broader implications for food safety.

Understanding the Recall: The Basics

Prairie Farms, a major dairy producer in the United States, initiated the recall after discovering a potential quality issue at its Dubuque, Iowa facility. The company was alerted to the problem on November 24, 2025, and immediately launched an investigation. Within hours, affected product was removed from store shelves and the formal recall was announced to the public.

The contamination involves food-grade cleaning agents, which are substances used in industrial food processing environments to maintain sanitary conditions. While these agents are approved for use in food production facilities, their presence in finished milk products poses a health risk if consumed. The company emphasized that only a specific segment of the production run was impacted, not the entire day’s output or all Prairie Farms products.

Specific Product Details and Identification

To help consumers identify whether they have purchased affected milk, Prairie Farms provided precise product information. The recalled product is Prairie Farms Gallon Fat Free Milk with the following specifications:

Code Date: DEC08
Plant Code: PLT19-145
UPC: 7273023117
Production Window: 17:51 to 21:23 (a 3-hour and 32-minute window)
Facility: Dubuque, Iowa

It is crucial to note that only milk produced during this specific timeframe is affected. Other Prairie Farms products, including milk produced at different times or at other facilities, are not part of this recall. Consumers should check their milk containers for the DEC08 code date and PLT19-145 plant code to determine if their purchase is affected.

Geographic Distribution and Affected Retailers

The recalled milk was distributed exclusively to Woodman’s Markets, a regional grocery chain with locations across Illinois and Wisconsin. Approximately 320 gallons of the affected product were sold before the issue was discovered.

Affected Illinois locations include: Bloomingdale, Buffalo Grove, Carpentersville, Lakemoor, North Aurora, and Rockford.

Affected Wisconsin locations include: Appleton, Beloit, Green Bay, Janesville, Kenosha, Madison, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, Onalaska, Racine, Sun Prairie, and Waukesha.

Consumers who purchased Prairie Farms gallon fat-free milk from any of these Woodman’s locations during the relevant production period should verify their product code before consumption.

Potential Health Risks and Symptoms

While food-grade cleaning agents are formulated to be safe in food production environments, ingestion of these substances can cause illness. The specific health effects depend on the type and quantity of cleaning agent consumed, as well as individual factors such as age and overall health status.

Consumers who may have consumed the affected product should monitor themselves for symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should consult a healthcare provider and mention the potential exposure to cleaning agents. In cases of severe symptoms or concerns, contacting poison control or emergency services is recommended.

What Consumers Should Do

Prairie Farms has provided clear guidance for consumers who may have purchased the affected product. The company recommends that consumers do not consume milk with the DEC08 code date and PLT19-145 plant code. Instead, consumers have two options:

Option 1: Safe Disposal – Consumers can safely dispose of the product in their household trash or through appropriate waste disposal methods.

Option 2: Store Refund – Consumers can return the product to their local Woodman’s Markets store for a full refund, regardless of whether they have a receipt.

The company has emphasized that all remaining affected product has been removed from store shelves, so new purchases should not be affected. However, consumers who purchased milk during the relevant timeframe should verify the code date before opening or consuming the product.

The Company’s Response and Investigation

Prairie Farms’ response to the contamination issue demonstrates the importance of swift action in food safety incidents. Upon becoming aware of the quality issue on November 24, the company immediately initiated a comprehensive investigation. This rapid response likely prevented a much larger public health incident, as the company was able to identify and remove affected product from circulation within hours.

The company is working in partnership with regulatory authorities and Woodman’s Markets to fully investigate the matter and comply with all necessary recall procedures. This collaborative approach ensures that the incident is thoroughly examined and that steps are taken to prevent similar issues in the future.

The precision of the recall—limited to a specific 3.5-hour production window rather than an entire day’s output—suggests that Prairie Farms has robust quality control systems in place and was able to pinpoint exactly when the contamination occurred.

Broader Implications for Food Safety

The Prairie Farms recall serves as a reminder of the critical importance of quality control in food and beverage production. Food safety incidents, while relatively rare in developed countries with strong regulatory oversight, can have significant consequences for consumer health and public trust in brands.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies maintain strict standards for food production facilities, including requirements for cleaning protocols and contamination prevention. Incidents like this one, while concerning, also demonstrate that the regulatory system is working—the contamination was detected, reported, and addressed before it caused widespread harm.

For consumers, recalls underscore the importance of checking product codes and staying informed about food safety alerts. Regulatory agencies and companies typically announce recalls through multiple channels, including official websites, news media, and social media platforms.

Contact Information and Further Resources

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Prairie Farms Dairy directly via email at media@prairiefarms.com. The company has committed to providing additional information and assistance to affected consumers.

For official information about food recalls, consumers can visit the FDA’s website, which maintains a comprehensive database of all active recalls in the United States. This resource allows consumers to search by company name, product type, or recall date.

Conclusion

The Prairie Farms Dairy milk recall, announced on November 25, 2025, represents a significant but manageable food safety incident. By affecting only a limited quantity of product during a specific production window and being caught before widespread consumption, the recall demonstrates both the vulnerability of food production systems and the effectiveness of quality control and regulatory oversight.

Consumers in Illinois and Wisconsin who purchased Prairie Farms gallon fat-free milk with the DEC08 code date and PLT19-145 plant code should not consume the product and should either dispose of it safely or return it to their local Woodman’s Markets for a refund. For those without affected product, the recall serves as a timely reminder to check product codes and stay informed about food safety alerts.

Prairie Farms’ swift response and transparent communication have helped minimize the potential impact of this incident. As the company continues to investigate the root cause and implement preventive measures, consumers can take comfort in knowing that their safety remains a priority for both the company and regulatory agencies.