Fresno, California – Health officials have issued a warning about an E. coli outbreak linked to raw cheddar cheese from Raw Farm. The outbreak has affected at least 10 people across four states: California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four of the affected individuals have been hospitalized and one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.
The CDC has expressed concerns that the actual number of cases may be much higher than reported and that the outbreak may extend beyond the known affected states. Raw Farm, based in Fresno, California, has initiated a recall of several of its cheddar cheese products.
Despite the recall, Raw Farm president Aaron McAfee has stated that none of their products have tested positive for E. coli. He mentioned that the voluntary recall was issued as a precautionary measure. Retail partners have been instructed to pull the affected products, and McAfee assures that any cheese on the shelves is safe for sale.
The CDC revealed that among the eight ill individuals interviewed, six reported consuming Raw Farm’s raw cheddar cheese purchased at Sprouts Farmers Markets or Bristol Farms. It’s important to note that the contamination involves both the original and jalapeño flavor cheddar cheese, as well as the block and shredded versions.
This is not the first instance of Raw Farm products being linked to contamination. Last August, there was a statewide recall of their raw cheddar cheese after the presence of salmonella bacteria was detected. In October, their milk and heavy cream were also subject to a recall in California due to a link to a salmonella infection.
The FDA advises against consuming, selling, or serving Raw Farm’s raw cheddar cheese while the investigation is ongoing. Symptoms of E. coli infection include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting, and can appear up to nine days after consuming contaminated food.