Leetsdale Couple Files Lawsuit Against Brunton Dairy

A Leetsdale Couple has filed a lawsuit against in Beaver County alleging the farm's milk and ice cream products sickened the wife.

According to the Beaver County Times, Henrietta F. Kretzler and her husband, Walter P. Kretzler Jr., of Washington St., claim they regularly purchased milk and ice cream from the Independence Township dairy, which Henrietta Kretzler consumed in June and July.

The suit claims Henrietta Kretzler suffered severe abdominal pain and a perforated bowel, which required exploratory surgery and a small bowel resection and caused Walter Kretzler Jr. to suffer a loss of consortium with his wife, the Times reported.

The couple's attorney, Thomas E. Crenney of Pittsburgh, could not be reached for comment Friday. Crenney has also filed a second lawsuit on behalf of Joseph A. Wakeling Jr.of Moon Township.

Brunton hasn't issued a response to Wakeling's suit, but the dairy's attorney, Jeffrey Truitt has denied claims that the 175-year-old farm was responsible for Kretzler’s illness.

Brunton Dairy in July after a positive test result for Yersinia bacteria was found in a one-gallon glass bottle of pasteurized, homogenized fat-free milk. Production two months later, only to suspend milk production .

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said Brunton Dairy recently successfully completed a routine inspection as part of ongoing oversight testing of milk samples at the dairy. Brunton Dairy was cleared to resume production earlier this week.