Of the seven illnesses identified so far, four are in children age 3 or younger.
The Food and Drug Administration has linked cheddar cheese made from raw (unpasteurized) milk to a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. But the cheese’s maker, Raw Farm, is rejecting the regulator’s findings and refusing to voluntarily recall its cheese.
In an outbreak investigation notice, the FDA said seven cases have been identified in three states: California (five cases), Florida (one case), and Texas (one case). Of the seven cases, two required hospitalization. Four of the seven cases were in children age 3 or younger who are at higher risk of severe illness. No deaths have been reported.
The onset of the seven illnesses spanned September of last year to as recently as February 13. Genetic testing of the *E. coli *in each case found they were highly related and, thus, likely from a common source. Of the three cases that health officials have been able to fully interview about their potential exposures, all three said they had eaten Raw Farm-branded raw cheddar cheese.
What the hell do they do if they don’t comply? Is this a first? Also they estamblished a connection, but were they able to test any of the cheese its self? I say if they don’t recall they should be fully responsible for the health or possible deaths it causes from here on out if proven to be the reason. We just keep getting worse.
It’s a voluntary recall that they are not following. When the recall becomes a court order they will or risk losing their ability to sell food.
Not at all familiar with this field, but since they only have indirect evidence that the cheese was at fault, ie it was in common between 3 patients in the outbreak vs having directly found genetically related strains in the cheese, they may not have enough evidence for a court ordered recall and can only raise an alarm.