An E. coli outbreak prompts Raw Farm raw (unpasteurized) cheddar cheese recall at Sprouts Farmers Market and Bristol Farms stores. Consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as E. coli can cause severe illness.
Raw Farm Cheddar E.coli Recall
The recall includes:
- 16 oz Raw Cheddar Cheese – Pound Block, Barcode 835204000156, Batch 20231113-1 or older
- 8 oz Raw Cheddar Cheese – Half Pound Block, Barcode 835204001177, Batch 20231113-1 or older
- 8 oz Raw Cheddar Cheese – Half Pound Shred Batch, Barcode 835204001184, Batch 20240116 or older
Raw Farm Cheddar E. coli Outbreak
The outbreak includes at least 10 illnesses and four hospitalizations. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that is a complication of some E. coli infections.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. These symptoms usually appear within one to three days of exposure. The patients in this outbreak first developed symptoms on dates ranging from October 18, 2023, to January 29, 2024.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing HUS.