The recall was initiated after a case of two five pound loafs in the original packaging was collected on 7-8—14 from an offsite warehouse. The product sample tested positive for Shiga toxin 1and was contaminated with E. coli O111:H8.
STEC strains serious health concern
According to the US FDA Food and Drug Administration, this is one of six STEC strains that have been deemed to be of serious health concern as it can cause diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools, and may lead to more severe complications like Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
HUS is most likely to occur in young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals and can lead to severe kidney damage and death.
The product was distributed in the Midwest and Southwest regions of the US from Wisconsin and Georgia. From these two states the product was then sent to retail stores in the Midwest and Southwest.
'No illnesses to date'
Raw Milk Mild Cheddar Cheese was packed as an 8oz cryovac retail size piece with the code 103-114 on a sticker attached to the side of the cheese.
It is all white in appearance and has a front and back separate label. The back label is a black and white nutrition and ingredient label and the front label is a yellow and blue colored label with the Mt Sterling Coop Creamery brand name. "No illnesses have been reported to date."
Consumers who have purchased this product with the code date listed are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a refund.