American consumers are being urged to check refrigerators and freezers after a nationwide recall of raw milk cheese linked to an outbreak of E. coli O26:H11.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company has recalled all Graziers Raw Milk Cheese products currently on the market after federal investigators linked illnesses to the products.
The outbreak has caused 13 confirmed illnesses across nine states, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Eight people have been hospitalized and three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. �
U.S. Food and Drug Administration +1
Children account for many cases
The age profile of the outbreak is particularly concerning.
Patients range from one to 58 years old, with a median age of only five.
More than half of the people infected are children aged five or younger, according to the CDC. �
CDC
Cases have been identified in California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee and Utah.
Which cheeses are recalled?
The recall includes Graziers Raw Milk Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack and Monterey Jack.
Products were sold nationwide through retailers, distributors and direct customers, including packages intended for consumers and larger products supplied to food service businesses. �
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Investigators have not isolated the problem to a specific production date or batch.
As a result, the company recalled all affected Graziers raw milk cheese currently in distribution.
What should consumers do?
The FDA says consumers should not eat or serve recalled cheese.
Because cheese can remain refrigerated or frozen for long periods, authorities are specifically asking people to check both refrigerators and freezers.
Anyone who stored the cheese without its original packaging and cannot determine whether it was recalled should discard it.
Surfaces and containers that came into contact with the cheese should also be cleaned and sanitized. �
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after eating recalled cheese should contact a healthcare provider.
