The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is awaiting test results on two samples of chocolate milk that had a sour smell and taste.

The health department has been investigating an issue affecting chocolate milk produced by United Dairy in Martins Ferry after issuing a recent notice concerning chocolate milk sold locally.

Administrator Howard Gamble said two milk samples were submitted to a West Virginia Department of Agriculture lab for testing.

“Until we get information back from the WVDA lab, there are no additional issues or action at this time,” he said Monday.

The milk items in question were United or Great Value half-gallon nonfat chocolate milk, with a “best by” date of July 28, and Great Value gallon 1-percent low-fat chocolate milk, with a “best by” date of Aug 1. Both containers had a code marking of 3986 WV-8 or 3986 WV-4 as well as a time marking.

“We have not received any other calls (or samples) about similar issues,” Gamble said. “The issue was that the products given to us did have a sour smell and taste as well as a slight chemical odor.”

At this time, the chemical odor is not linked to any product or contaminant.

“There were no illnesses reported and we assume all other former, current and future products will be safe to consume at this point,” he said.

The complaints appear to be confined to West Virginia.

Robert Sproul, deputy health commissioner of the Belmont County Health Department, said Monday they have not received any complaints.

“We spoke with ODA (Ohio Department of Agriculture) and United Dairy and neither had any complaints,” Sproul said.

United Dairy officials did not respond to requests for comment.

The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department has been working with United Dairy, area health departments, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Ohio Department of Agriculture regarding the milk issue.