Raw cheddar cheese has been linked to an outbreak of E. coli, the Food and Drug Administration announced Sunday. RAW FARM-brand block and shredded cheddar cheeses have reportedly sickened seven people across three states—four of the seven cases were in children 3 years old or younger. The FDA has recommended that RAW FARM, LLC voluntarily recall its cheese products, but, as of March 15, the company has declined.
Identifying the Cheese Products
The outbreak has been linked to block and shredded cheddar cheeses produced by RAW FARM, LLC. The company’s cheese is made with whole raw milk that has not gone through the pasteurization process and may carry harmful bacteria, like E. coli, that can cause foodborne illness.
See the recalled raw cheddar cheese products below:
RAW FARM Raw Cheddar: 8-oz (227-gram) block
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RAW FARM Raw Cheddar, Simply Shredded: 8-oz (227-gram) bag
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The raw cheddar cheese products have been linked to seven confirmed E. coli infections across three states—California, Florida, and Texas. Four of the seven cases are in children 3 years old or younger, and two patients have been hospitalized. No deaths or cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)—a serious kidney problem linked to this specific type of E. coli—have been reported.
What You Should Do
Despite an FDA recommendation to voluntarily remove their raw cheese products from the market, the RAW FARM, LLC cheeses are still available at select stores nationwide.
In that case, the FDA is providing this information to consumers and retailers so they are aware of the outbreak before deciding to eat RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheeses or serve them to children.
Additionally, anyone who has purchased or received RAW FARM-brand cheddar cheeses may want to carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces the products may have touched, to prevent cross-contamination.
If you have eaten any raw cheddar cheese from RAW FARM, LLC, and begin feeling symptoms that resemble an E. coli infection (severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting) consult a healthcare provider.
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