Raw Cheddar Cheese Recalled in 7 States Over E. Coli Concerns
Go check your cheese drawer. Seriously, right now.
Family Farmstead Dairy out of Worcester, New York, has recalled a batch of its Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese after testing found not one, but two strains of E. coli. The FDA announced the recall Oct. 15, and no illnesses have been reported so far. But that can change fast with E. coli, and this is the kind of thing you don’t want to find out about after the fact.
The problem was discovered when testing in Maryland detected two strains of E. coli in samples of the company’s raw cheddar, sold in 8-ounce packages.
What You’re Looking For
The recalled product is Family Farmstead Dairy Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese, sold in 8-ounce clear plastic packages with a green, red and white label. The lot code and best-by date on the back is 7/22/27. That’s your identifier. No other Family Farmstead products are part of this recall, just this one lot.
The cheese was distributed to retailers in seven states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. Even if you live outside those states, it’s worth checking the date code, especially if you buy specialty cheese online or while traveling.
Why These E. Coli Strains Are Serious
The two strains detected are E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2. Both are Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, the category responsible for some of the worst foodborne illness outbreaks in recent memory.
Symptoms show up anywhere from one to 10 days after exposure, though most people start feeling sick within three to four days. They include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that’s often bloody and vomiting. Some people also develop a fever.
For most healthy adults, the illness is miserable but survivable. For young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system, STEC can escalate into hemolytic uremic syndrome, a kidney complication that can become life-threatening.
If you ate this cheese and start experiencing bloody diarrhea or severe cramps, or you notice you’re barely urinating, seek emergency care right away. Tell your doctor about the possible E. coli exposure.
Throw It Out. Don’t Cook It.
Some people assume cooking fixes contamination issues. That’s not the right call here. Toss the package or return it to the store for a refund. Don’t taste it, don’t serve it and don’t assume a small amount is fine.
Once the cheese is gone, clean and sanitize any surfaces, containers or utensils it touched, including the cheese drawer itself.
Questions? Reach Family Farmstead Dairy directly at (607) 397-4044 or customerservice@familyfarmsteaddairy.com.
This Isn’t the First Raw Cheese E. Coli Situation This Year
Back in March, the FDA investigated an E. coli outbreak tied to a different brand’s raw cheddar out of California. Three people got sick, and while the FDA recommended a recall, that company declined.
In September, the FDA and CDC began investigating an outbreak of E. coli O26:H11, one of the same strains found in the Family Farmstead cheese, linked to raw milk cheese from Sierra Nevada Cheese Company. That outbreak sickened 13 people in nine states, hospitalizing eight. Three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.
So far, the Family Farmstead recall hasn’t been linked to any illnesses, and the goal is to keep it that way.
Raw milk cheese carries inherent risk. No pasteurization means no heat step to kill harmful bacteria. Family Farmstead emphasizes organic farming, grass-fed cows and minimal processing, values plenty of consumers seek out. But “natural” and “safe” aren’t the same thing when it comes to unpasteurized dairy. The FDA requires raw milk cheese to be aged at least 60 days, which reduces the risk but doesn’t eliminate it. Recalls like this one are a reminder of that.
The best-by date is 7/22/27. If you see it, don’t eat it.
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