Twin Sisters Creamery, based in Ferndale, Washington, has issued a voluntary recall of its Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheese products. The recall affects cheeses made from raw and unpasteurized milk that were aged for at least 60 days. The action follows concerns that the products may be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Escherichia coli O103.
According to the company, “Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.”
The press release also states: “E. coli O103 is an organism that can cause severe abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting, with symptoms typically appearing 1-10 days after exposure. It can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening condition that causes kidney failure, particularly dangerous in young children, elderly individuals, and immunocompromised persons. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and potentially fatal complications.”
The affected cheese wheels weigh 2.5 pounds each and were distributed between July 27 and October 22 of this year to distributors in Oregon and Washington. These products may have been further distributed to retail stores for repackaging or sold as pre-cut pieces with different lot numbers or expiration dates.
Batch codes included in the recall are:
– Batch Code 250527B Whatcom Blue
– Batch Code 250610B Whatcom Blue
– Batch Code 250618B Whatcom Blue
– Batch Code 250624B Whatcom Blue
– Batch Code 250603F Farmhouse
– Batch Code 250616B Farmhouse
– Batch Code 250603P Peppercorn
– Batch Code 250616M Mustard Seed
To date, three cases of STEC infections caused by E. coli O103 have been reported in Oregon and Washington. One case in Oregon involved a person who consumed Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese before becoming ill.
The recall was initiated after a third-party laboratory confirmed the presence of E. coli O103 in a sample of Farmhouse cheese. Additionally, STEC was detected in samples of Whatcom Blue analyzed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Consumers are advised not to eat or use any recalled products they may still have at home; instead they should dispose of them safely and clean any surfaces they touched. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Customers who purchased these cheeses are encouraged to return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Questions can be directed to Twin Sisters Creamery at 360-656-5240 during business hours Tuesday through Saturday.
The recall is being conducted with oversight from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Washington Department of Agriculture.
