Michigan farm owner says human waste contamination was ‘oversight,’ ‘not intentional’

HOMER, Mich. – The proprietor of a Michigan farm accused of utilizing uncooked, untreated human waste on fields of produce, which triggered a widespread shopper alert, says the incident was an “oversight.”

The Michigan Division of Agriculture and Rural Growth on Tuesday issued a shopper advisory after a routine security inspection of Kuntry Gardens in Homer recognized uncooked, untreated human waste on produce fields. The produce was offered to native grocery shops and thru direct sale.

Shoppers are urged to not eat any produce or merchandise containing produce from Kuntry Gardens, as they could be contaminated with the human waste. Affected merchandise ought to all be labeled below the title Kuntry Gardens, officers mentioned.

State officers say the usage of uncooked, untreated human waste for rising commodities “supposed for human meals is a violation of the Michigan Meals Regulation,” along with “different state and federal legal guidelines and rules.”

No diseases have been reported thus far in reference to the potential contamination.

Kuntry Backyard officers spoke to Native 4 Wednesday, and mentioned the incident was an trustworthy mistake and that the farm was not utilizing human waste as fertilizer.

“This was an incident that occurred, it was not intentional. It was an trustworthy mistake. We didn’t use [human waste] as fertilizer,” mentioned Andy Stutzman, proprietor of Kuntry Gardens. “It was only a small spot, like 5 toes by 5 toes, of human waste that acquired dumped there from an outhouse. This occurred earlier than the land was plowed. We’re going to be testing the soil to verify the soil is OK for subsequent yr. We’re stopping all farming/promoting for the rest of yr on account of this incident. We’re all about meals security, however that is simply one thing that occurred and it was an oversight.”

Human waste that has not been professionally handled can doubtlessly unfold dangerous infectious illnesses like E. coli, hepatitis A, rotavirus, norovirus and Clostridium difficile. Anybody who bought Kuntry Gardens merchandise are urged to hunt medical consideration in the event that they expertise signs of a foodborne sickness.

Such signs embody:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Jaundice

• Fever

• Stomach cramps

• Lack of urge for food

• Weak spot

• Headache

Kuntry Gardens was offered on the following Washtenaw County areas:

• Busch’s Recent Meals Market shops in Ann Arbor, Dexter and Saline

• White Lotus Farms, 7217 West Liberty Street,, Ann Arbor

• Argus Farm Cease, 325 West Liberty Avenue, Ann Arbor

• Agricole Farm Cease, 118 North Foremost Avenue, Chelsea

• Ypsi Coop, 312 North River Avenue, Ypsilanti

And at different areas throughout Michigan:

• Kuntry Gardens, 29910 R Drive South, Homer

• Busch’s Recent Meals Market shops situated in Brighton, Canton, Clinton, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi, Pinckney, Plymouth-Northville, Rochester Hills, South Lyon, Tecumseh and West Bloomfield

• Merely Recent Market, 7300 Grand River Street, Brighton

• Pure Pastures, 1192 Ann Arbor Street, Plymouth

• Greener Pastures Market, 21202 Pontiac Path, South Lyon

• Vacation Market, 520 South Lilley Street, Canton

• Cherry Capitol, Traverse Metropolis

“MDARD has positioned impacted product nonetheless on the farm below seizure and is working with the farm to supervise disposition and corrective motion,” an MDARD launch reads. “Shoppers are inspired to contact the farm or facility the place product was bought for instruction on disposal and refund.”

MDARD might be reached with questions or considerations at 800-292-3939 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday by way of Friday.