Class IF-2463-2016

Class I— FDA's most serious classification, issued when there is a reasonable probability that consumption of or exposure to the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Product

Country Dill 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.

Type: Food
Affected lot / code info: All product on market. Any manuafcturing date prior to 8.1.16; date printed immediately below the cheese variety name represents the manufacturing date
Quantity: 2250 lbs

Why it was recalled

contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), a bacteria that can cause serious illness in humans. E.coli infection symptoms vary by individual, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101¿F/less than 38.5¿C). Most people get better within 57 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. Around 510% of those diagnosed with Shiga-toxin producing E.coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Signs that a person is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids. Persons with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most persons with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die.

Recalling firm

Firm: Grassfields Cheese, LLC
Notification channel: Press Release
Type: Voluntary: Firm initiated
Address: 14238 60th Ave, N/A, Coopersville, Michigan 49404-9707

Distribution

Distribution pattern: MI, GA, IL, IN, CT, NY, CO, WA, TN, OH

Timeline

Recall initiated: 2016-08-03
FDA classified: 2016-09-23
Posted by FDA: 2016-10-05
Terminated: 2016-11-17
Status: Terminated

Source: openFDA Food Enforcement endpoint. Recall record F-2463-2016. The FDA issues recall classifications as health-hazard assessments, not legal findings.