E. Coli Sickens 10, Linked To Recalled Cheese Sold Nationwide

ACROSS AMERICA — Federal health regulators are warning about cheddar cheese sold at retailers nationwide that could be contaminated with E. Coli and has been linked to at least 10 illnesses, including four hospitalizations.

Raw Farm, based in Fresno, California, was contacted Feb. 15 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the possibility that its raw cheddar cheese might have sickened people from Oct. 18-Jan. 31, the company said in an announcement posted on the FDA's recall section of its website.

"During this period, there were ten fecal samples collected from patients in 4 states that appeared to match one another in the National PULSENET database," the company said. "Some of these patients did not report consumption of any Raw Farm cheddar cheese or other raw dairy products."

Four people were sickened in California, three in Colorado, two in Utah and one in Texas, the CDC said. The outbreak could include other states, however, and the true number of sick people is "likely much higher than the number reported," the agency said.

"Four patients have been hospitalized; one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure," the FDA said. "No deaths have been reported."

Sickened people reported buying the cheese product at Sprouts Farmers Market and Bristol Farms, the FDA said, though other retailers may also sell the recalled cheese.

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they fell ill. Six people who fell ill reported eating Raw Farm- brand Raw Cheddar cheese.

"Epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM- brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC are the likely source of this outbreak," the FDA said.

Raw Farm said it is voluntarily recalling specific date codes of the cheese product in "full cooperation and collaboration with the CDC and FDA."

Anyone who has cheese with the following date codes should not eat it and return it for credit.

Raw Cheddar Cheese - Pound Block

• Item number: 1075
• Barcode: 835204000156
• Package size: 16 ounces
• Brand: RAW FARM
• Batch or older: 20231113-1

Raw Cheddar Cheese - Half Pound Block

• Item number: 1050
• Barcode: 835204001177
• Package size: 8 ounces
• Brand: RAW FARM
• Batch or older: 20231113-1

Raw Cheddar Cheese - Half Pound Shred

• Item number: 1080
• Barcode: 835204001184
• Package size: 8 ounces
• Brand: RAW FARM
• Batch or older: 20240116

No product samples consumed by consumers or products available for sale have tested positive for E.Coli, the company said. The recall was initiated out of an abundance of caution "strictly based on fecal samples submitted to PULSENET," Raw Farm said, adding that cheese already being delivered now and in the future is not affected.

"Only product on the retail shelf, which should have a date code of 20231113-1 or older should be ... recalled," the company said. "Shredded cheese with date 20240116 or older should be recalled."

Possibly contaminated cheese includes original and jalapeño flavors, the CDC said, in all sizes of blocks and shredded packages.

The CDC was strong in its statement, warning: "Do not eat any RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them."

People should call a healthcare provider if they experience any of the following symptoms: a fever of over 102 degrees, bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting longer than three days, intense vomiting, fatigue, dehydration or losing pink in the cheeks or lower eyelids.

• See also: More Products Recalled As Listeria Outbreak Continues