The News-Review reports that salmonella that contaminated packages at Umpqua Dairy’s milk processing plant in Roseburg was found in equipment that washes and sanitizes crates receiving packaged milk and juice, Doug Feldkamp said Wednesday.

Feldkamp said he didn’t know how the salmonella got into the system, which state health and agriculture officials say has been cleaned and now meets safety standards.

The Oregon Public Health Division attribute 23 cases of salmonellosis in nine counties to the bacteria at the dairy. Two people were hospitalized. The cases date back to October of last year. Health officials say that they only last week traced the illnesses to the dairy.

The dairy shut down the Roseburg plant last week and voluntarily recalled products packaged there.