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California dairy recalls raw milk cheese linked to severe strain of E. coli

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Recall sign

Raw Farm is recalling its raw milk cheddar cheeses amid an outbreak of a dangerous strain of E. coli, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

As of Friday, the FDA reported that the cheeses are linked to nine people in three states who developed E. coli O157:H7, a severe type of the bacteria that can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The cases are in California, Texas and Florida.

The California dairy company previously refused to recall its products when the FDA’s investigation began in mid-March.

Three people have been hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening E. coli complication that can cause kidney failure. Over half of the illnesses are in children under 5 years old. No deaths have been reported.

To find a potential link, the FDA interviewed eight of the infected people about what they ate the week prior to infection. All of them reported eating raw dairy products.

The FDA is testing samples for E. coli, but hasn’t confirmed a positive test result so far. Raw Farm President Aaron McAfee said that won’t happen.

“We’re not related to this outbreak,” he said.

McAfee said the voluntary recall was “made under protest” and “simply a moment in time where this was the right decision for Raw Farm and our consumers.”

“RAW FARM continues to contest the epidemiological links provided by the FDA,” the company said in a statement released Thursday.

Raw milk products are made from dairy that hasn’t been pasteurized, a process that heats it enough to destroy bacteria.

Source: California dairy recalls raw milk cheese linked to severe strain of E. coli

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