DOH ALERTS PUBLIC ABOUT RAW FARM RAW MILK CHEDDAR CHEESE DUE TO POTENTIAL E. COLI

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a recall issued by RAW FARM for its Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese, both shredded and block products. The recall was issued because United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and partner state epidemiological investigations indicate that the RAW FARM Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The recalled products were distributed to a small number of specialty grocery stores in Hawai‘i, including Down to Earth stores and Hanalei Market. The DOH FDB is following up with these stores to ensure that the products are no longer available for sale. Specific recalled product information is as follows:

In addition, any batches produced prior to the dates listed above are also under recall.

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and/or vomiting. Symptoms can begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food to up to nine days later. The average incubation period is three to four days. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and may lead to life-threatening conditions such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. E. coli O157:H7 infection may also lead to the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and/or neurologic problems.

Please contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are exhibiting symptoms after having consumed the recalled products. To date nine illnesses have been reported nationally; there have been no reports of illness or adverse events attributed to the recalled product here in Hawai‘i.

The FDB advises consumers to verify if they purchased the recalled products. Consumers should not consume the products and may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact RAW FARM at: https://rawfarmusa.com/contact

Representative images of the recalled products are displayed below:

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