E. Coli Case In NJ Tied To Cheese Recall: FDA

NEW JERSEY — One case of E. coli has been confirmed in New Jersey as officials investigate a multistate outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration said last week.

As of Wednesday, a total of 11 confirmed infections had been reported from five states, including four in California, three in Colorado, two in Utah, one in New Jersey, and one in Texas, all of which are believed to share a common source of infection, according to officials.

Five patients have been hospitalized and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure, officials said. No deaths have been reported.

State and local public health officials have interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they became sick, with seven out of nine percent reported eating RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese, the FDA said.

Health officials in Colorado, California, and Utah have collected various RAW FARM-brand products for testing, including Raw Milk, Raw Butter, Raw Cheddar cheese, and Raw Kefir, none of which had tested positive for E. coli as of Wednesday, according to the FDA. However, "Epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak," officials added.

In response to this investigation, on Feb. 16, 2024, RAW FARM, LLC initiated a recall of certain lots of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese, but withdrew their voluntary recall on Feb. 26., according to the FDA.

Anyone who ate the raw cheeses and has symptoms of E. coli infection should contact their healthcare provider, according to the FDA.

The investigation is ongoing.