FDA and CDC Announce E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Milk Cheese is Over

FDA and CDC provided an update on the pathogenic E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese. There have been 11 cases with 5 hospitalizations reported.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 11

Hospitalizations: 5

Deaths: 0

Last Sample Collection Dates: February 5, 2024

States with Cases: CA, CO, NJ, TX, UT

Product Distribution: Nationwide

 

The health alert was first issued in early February (https://pennstatefoodsafety.blogspot.com/2024/02/pathogenic-e-coli-outbreak-with-ten.html)
The last illness date was February 5, 2024.  FDA stated, "While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak."

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-raw-cheddar-cheese-february-2024

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Raw Cheddar Cheese (February 2024)

FDA’s Outbreak Investigation is closed. CDC declares outbreak over.

March 26, 2024

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to all sizes of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese blocks (with best by dates through 10/4/2024) and shredded cheese (with best by dates through 5/10/2024).

As part of this investigation, officials in CO, CA, and UT collected various RAW FARM-brand products for testing, and all samples were negative for E. coli. While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak.

As of March 26, 2024, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 11 illnesses in five states. There has been a total of five hospitalizations; two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. No deaths were reported. The last illness onset date was February 5, 2024. FDA’s outbreak investigation is closed.

FDA and CDC will continue to monitor for additional illnesses, and this investigation may be reopened if additional cases are identified.