E. coli outbreak linked to Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
An investigation into a recent E. coli outbreak showed that Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese had made people sick. Seven people who became sick with E. coli reported that they had eaten Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese in the week before they got sick. As a result, the CDC warned against eating raw cheese products from the Raw Farm brand. The outbreak investigation is now over, but this product has a long shelf life.
Escherichia coli - commonly known as E. coli - is an enteric, rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium. Enteric means that it comes from the intestines. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some are pathogenic and can contaminate food and cause food poisoning.
Facts About the Outbreak:
• Illnesses - 11
• Hospitalizations - 5
• Deaths - 0
• States - 5
• Recall - No
• Investigation status - Closed
Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese products sick people may have eaten:
• Flavors included original and jalapeno
• All sizes of blocks with best by dates through 10/4/2024
• All sizes of shredded cheese packages with best by dates through 5/10/2024
What You Should Do:
• Be aware that unpasteurized dairy products are more likely to contain germs than pasteurized dairy products.
• Check your refrigerators and freezers for Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese products with the best by dates listed above and throw them away.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the contaminated cheese using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
Symptoms of E. coli:
• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
• Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
• Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
• Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.