The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Food)·F-2465-2016·Announced 2016-10-05

Grassfields Organic Raw Milk Edam Cheese Recalled for E. coli Risk

Grassfields Cheese is recalling organic raw milk Edam 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 agency classification is FDA Class I, which mandates a minimum score of 4. The hazard involves Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a high-risk pathogen explicitly associated with life-threatening complications and death in the source text, meeting the criteria for a Critical (5) rating.

Plain-English summary

Grassfields Cheese, LLC is recalling 2,250 pounds of organic raw milk Edam cheese. The recalled products include 12-pound wheels, 6-pound half wheels, and wedges of various sizes. The cheese was sold in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Connecticut, New York, Colorado, Washington, Tennessee, and Ohio. All product on the market with a manufacturing date prior to August 1, 2016, is subject to the recall.

The recall is being conducted because the product may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This bacteria can cause serious illness in humans, with symptoms including 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.

Consumers who have purchased this product should stop using it immediately. They should return the cheese to the place of purchase for a refund or contact the manufacturer for further instructions.

The recalled product

Product
Edam 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 →