Cheese recall expands due to E. coli outbreak in multiple states

The U..S Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of cheddar cheese products from Raw Farm LLC.

The producer of raw dairy products has been notified by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the possibility that Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese caused illness between Oct. 18, 2023, and Jan. 29, 2024.

Though the recalled items are expired, consumers should keep an eye out for cheese products in their refrigerator that match the following information:

• Raw cheddar cheese — Pound block, barcode 835204000156 with an expiration date of Nov. 13, 2023, or older
• Raw cheddar cheese — Half-pound block, barcode 835204001177 with an expiration date of Nov. 13, 2023, or older
• Raw cheddar cheese — Half-pound shred, barcode 835204001184 with an expiration date of Jan. 16, 2024, or older

As of Feb. 16, 2024, 10 E. coli infections have been reported from four states — California, Colorado, Utah and Texas, according to the CDC.

Out of the nine people with available information, four have been hospitalized, one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome — a serious condition that can cause kidney failure and blood clots — and no deaths have been reported.

However, the CDC noted that the true number of people who have been affected by the outbreak is likely much higher than what’s been reported, and it could be spread over more states than what is known.

Many who end up infected with E. coli don’t seek medical attention and never get tested because it doesn’t require medical care. Additionally, it typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a person’s illness is due to an outbreak.

Of the eight people interviewed by state and local public health officials, six reported eating Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese in the week before illness.

The CDC “advises people not to eat, sell or serve RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese while the investigation is ongoing.”

If you own Raw Farm cheese that matches the description of one of the recalled items, the company urges you to discard them or return them for store credit.

This move comes just days after a nationwide dairy recall linked to a deadly listeria outbreak that includes products sold at Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and other major retailers.

The FDA updated the list of recalled products and products made with the recalled products on Thursday, sold under the brand names: Bright Farms, Campesino, Casa Cardenas, Dole, Don Francisco, Don Pancho, Dos Ranchitos, El Huache, Food City, Fresh & Ready Foods, Fresh Express, H-E-B, Jack & Olive, La Ordena, Marketside, Maverick Foods, President’s Choice, Ready Pac Bistro, Rio Grande, Rizo Bros, Rico, Rojos, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Sprig & Sprout (S&S), The Perfect Bite Co.,Tio Francisco, Trader Joe’s and 365 Whole Foods Market.

Retailers where recalled products were sold unbranded as taco kits, wraps and meals include: Albertsons, Bristol Farms, Carrs-Safeway, Costco, Eagle, Lucky, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Save Mart, Shaw’s, Sprouts (S&S), Star Market, Stater Bros. Markets, Tom Thumb and Vons.