Health Law

E. coli Found in Bravo Farms Gouda Cheese Sold at Costco

By Colin Caywood

The link between Bravo Farms's Dutch Style Raw Milk Gouda Cheese and an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 among at least 37 Southwest residents became even stronger today.  The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed that an intact sample of the raw milk Gouda cheese sampled and sold at numerous Costco stores has cultured positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7.

On Nov. 5, 2010, Bravo Farms voluntarily recalled all of its Dutch Style Gouda cheese because it is potentially contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The cheese was distributed primarily through Costco in Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico in 1.5 lb. packages. It was also distributed through various retail stores within California in 8 oz. packages.

The number of ill persons identified in each state with this particular E. coli O157:H7 strain is presently as follows: AZ (19), CA (3), CO (10), NM (3) and NV (2). There have been 15 reported hospitalizations and 1 case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  Thankfully no deaths have been reported thus far.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on November 16, 2010 (boomark / email).