California Dairy Recalls Raw Cheese in E. coli Outbreak

A California dairy company has recalled several batches of its raw cheddar cheese products following an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to the items by federal health officials. The voluntary recall, announced by Raw Farm LLC of Fresno, affects specific blocks and shreds sold primarily in California but associated with illnesses in three states.

According to the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak involves nine confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7, a Shiga toxin-producing strain that can lead to severe complications. Seven illnesses occurred in California, with one each in Florida and Texas. More than half of those affected are children under age 5. Three people required hospitalization, including one who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious form of kidney failure that can be fatal in some instances. Symptoms typically appear three to four days after exposure and include stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, lasting five to seven days. Health officials note that actual case numbers may be higher, as many recover without medical care.

The FDA's latest update, released Friday, indicates that sick...