The Congressional Food Safety Caucus is calling on the FDA to use its authority to recall Raw Farm LLC’s raw milk cheddar cheese after it has been linked to an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.
Among the members of Congress who made the request are Representatives Rosa DeLauro, CT, Sanford D. Bishop Jr., GA, Jan Schakowsky, IL, Chellie Pingree, ME, André Carson, IN, Alma Adams, NC, Mike Quigley, IL, Seth Moulton, MA, Grace Meng, NY, and Mark Takano, CA. They issued a joint statement following reports of E. coli contamination linked to raw farm cheddar cheese made by Raw Farm.
Raw Farm is the largest producer of raw, unpasteurized dairy products in the United States. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a long-time customer of Raw Farm products.
At least seven people, including three children, in three states have become ill due to E. coli contamination linked to Cheese from Raw Farm. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined cheese was a “probable cause” of the outbreak.
Raw Farm products have been linked to several food poisoning outbreaks in recent years.
The FDA can force a company to recall unsafe food if it refuses to do so. Raw Farms has so far rejected the FDA’s recommendation for a voluntary recall.
“The FDA has recommended that Raw Farm voluntarily cease sales of its raw cheese products after determining that the company is likely the source of an ongoing E. coli outbreak,” the spokesperson said. “Raw Farm said no. Our message to Raw Farm and the FDA is to get it off the shelves right now.
“This outbreak has put two people in the hospital and sickened several others. More than half of the illnesses occurred in children under the age of 3. This is intolerable. If Raw Farm refuses to take unsafe products off the market, the FDA should use its mandatory recall powers to take them to court. The company should not flatly refuse to recommend a recall. This would put consumers’ health at risk to protect the company’s profits.
“FDA must take action to ensure that consumers are not subject to the whims of corporations that put their own interests ahead of public health, and if mandated authority needs to be strengthened, the Food Safety Commission stands ready to address this issue at FDA’s request.
“Secretary Kennedy’s association with Raw Farm and the FDA’s lack of action raise serious questions. At the very least, this is a potentially concerning conflict of interest. At worst, Secretary Kennedy is once again playing a dangerous game with the health of the American people.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises consumers not to consume raw farm cheese products.
About E. coli infection
Food contaminated with E. coli may look or smell unpleasant.
Anyone who consumes a related raw farm product and develops symptoms of an E. coli infection should seek medical attention and inform their doctor of any possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are needed to diagnose infections, which can mimic other diseases.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection vary from person to person, but often include severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within 5 to 7 days. Other people may develop serious or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About 5 to 10 percent of people diagnosed with E. coli infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication of kidney failure, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased urination, small bruising or bleeding of unknown origin, and paleness.
Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injury or die. The condition can occur at any age, but is most common in people with compromised immune systems, such as children under 5 years of age, older adults with weakened immune systems, and people with cancer because their immune systems are immature.
People experiencing HUS symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. People with HUS are more likely to be hospitalized because it can cause other serious and lasting problems, including high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurological problems.
