The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Food)·F-2464-2016·Announced 2016-10-05

Grassfields Cheese Recalls Organic Raw Milk Cheese Due to E. Coli Risk

Grassfields Cheese, LLC is recalling organic raw milk Leyden cheese due to potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class I, and the source text explicitly states that the bacteria can cause death, meeting the criteria for a Critical severity score.

Plain-English summary

Grassfields Cheese, LLC is voluntarily recalling approximately 2,250 pounds of organic raw milk Leyden cheese. The recalled products include 12-pound wheels, 6-pound half wheels, and wedges ranging from less than 12 pounds to 1/3 pound. The wheels and half wheels are packaged in cheese paper, while the wedges are packaged in clear plastic cryovac bags. The cheese is sold refrigerated.

The recall is being conducted because the product may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a bacteria that can cause serious illness in humans. Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. In some cases, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening complication that affects the kidneys. HUS requires hospitalization and can result in permanent damage or death.

The recalled cheese was distributed in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut, New York, Colorado, Washington, Tennessee, and Ohio. The recall covers all product on the market with a manufacturing date prior to August 1, 2016. The manufacturing date is printed immediately below the cheese variety name on the packaging. Consumers should check their refrigerators for these products and dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase.

The recalled product

Product
Leyden 12 pound wheels, Six pound half wheels, and wedges of various sizes ranging from less than 12 pounds to 1/3 pound. Wheels and half wheels are sold packaged in cheese paper and wedges are sold packaged in clear plastic cryovac. Refrigerated, Organic raw milk cheese.

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (1)

  • All product on market. Any manuafcturing date prior to 8.1.16

Distribution

Distributed in 10 states:

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 10 recalled by Grassfields Cheese, LLC under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 10 products in this recall →