Major cheddar cheese recall due to potential E.coli present

Health officials have issued a cheddar cheese recall due to potential E.coli contamination that may cause ‘diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools’.

Last Thursday (15 October), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a notice suggesting consumers who purchased affected lots of Family Farmstead Dairy cheese discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

The announcement was made amid a possible E.coli infection.

“Family Farmstead Dairy of Worcester, NY, is recalling specific lot of cheddar cheese because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O26:H11 and O45:H2 (E. Coli O26:H11 and O45:H2,” a statement posted via the FDA website, read.

The recalled product, labelled as Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese, has the lot code 7/22/27 and a similarly listed Best By Date.

(Family Farmstead Dairy)

The dairy item was distributed to grocers in seven states: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts.

It’s understood the item may have reached other states through different distributors, reported People Magazine.

Health experts initially discovered a potential E.Coli contamination when a Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) sample in Maryland isolated two strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

STEC can release dangerous toxins that damage the lining of the small intestine, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Side effects include stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting.

These usually appear three to four days after eating or having direct contact with a contaminated product.

While most healthy adults recover from an infection in five to seven days, some illnesses may take up to two weeks to get over.

Young children and older adults may also develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious form of kidney failure, as per health warnings.

(Getty Stock Image)

STEC was found in two samples of 8oz-packaged Family Farmstead A2 Raw Cheddar, leading to the nationwide recall.

Family Farmstead Dairy has confirmed that no illnesses or allergic reactions associated with the recalled cheese have been reported.

No other products from the company are included in the recall, as per the FDA notice.

In a statement, Family Farmstead Dairy said: “We sincerely apologise to our customers, retail partners, and consumers for the inconvenience caused by this recall.

“Product quality is an utmost priority here at Family Farmstead so we are committed to identifying the cause of this issue and taking all necessary corrective actions to ensure the continued safety and quality of our products.”

Customers are advised to contact Family Farmstead Dairy at (607) 397-4044 or by email at [email protected].