A recall has been issued for raw milk cheese after more than a dozen people were sickened with E. coli across several states.
The recalled products include Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses: medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack sold at retail in 8-oz or 16-oz packages.
A total of 13 people have been sickened so far, including eight hospitalizations. The last onset of symptoms was on Aug. 26.
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“The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 infections linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a release. “FDA’s investigation is ongoing.”
When public health officials interviewed nine of those sickened, they all said they had eaten Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheese within the last week.
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The Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, LCC voluntarily issued the recall and is working with the FDA.
Three people were sickened in California and Nevada and one in Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.
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“Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses,” the FDA said.
It added, “This product has a long shelf life. Check your refrigerators and freezers for the recalled raw milk cheeses and throw them away. If you refrigerated or froze cheese without the original packaging and can’t tell if it’s part of the recall, throw it away.”
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The FDA is still investigating the source of the contamination, and to see if there are any other affected products.
Consumers who purchased the cheese should not only throw it away or return it for a refund, but also carefully sanitize any surfaces or containers the cheese touched.
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E. coli symptoms can start as late as nine days after eating the contaminated food and include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and nausea.
In severe cases, it can cause life-threatening conditions like chronic kidney disease, kidney failure and high blood pressure.
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