Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm product suspected cause of BC and Alberta E.coli outbreak. Photo: Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm Facebook.
Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm recalling all product after E. coli illnesses, says Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating E. coli tainted cheese produced in Salmon Arm, BC, after one person died and 10 others in Alberta and BC became ill.
The unidentified person had eaten cheese produced by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in BC. Most of the illnesses match a strain of E. coli found in the cheese product that was sold at the outlet and at retail stores in Alberta and British Columbia.
Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm, Salmon Arm, BC. Photo: Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm Facebook.
Some product was also sold through the internet, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The cheese product was sold between May 27 and Sept. 14.
All Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm products have been recalled and pulled from shelves while the public health agency continues to investigate.
“There is currently no indication of widespread risk to Canadians,” a statement from the agency said. “However, E. coli 0157:H7 can pose a serious public health risk. Additional cases of illness may be identified and linked to this outbreak in the future.”
The illnesses began in July, while most of the infected people reported symptoms in late August and early September.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stated the products that have been recalled include lot codes 122 to 138. They also warned that some of the tainted cheese will not have a lot code or indicate that the cheese was made with raw milk.
Some of the product was served over a deli counter without label coding. Consumers unsure of whether they have purchased the recalled cheese are advised to contact the store of purchase.
While it is illegal to sell unpasteurized milk in Canada, cheese made from unpasteurized milk is legal. No connection has been made between the raw milk cheese and the E. coli outbreak at this time.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
The manufacturer, Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, BC is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.
All sizes of the raw milk cheeses listed below are affected by this recall:
Product:
- Medium Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato
- Aged Quaso de Prato
- X Aged Quaso de Prato
- Cumin Quaso de Prato
- Greek Blend: Onion, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper, Thyme, Oregano Quaso de Prato
- Gouda Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers Quaso de Prato
- Smoked Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato
- Gouda Cheese with Red Peppers, Ginger Onions & Garlic Quaso de Prato
- Peppercorn, Ginger, Paprika, Onion & Garlic Quaso de Prato
- Parsley, Celery, Onion, Garlic, Dill & Chives Quaso de Prato
- Maasdammer
- Beaufort
- Parmesan
- Mazouda
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