Cheese Recall as Warning Issued Over Food Poisoning

( Newsweek )

Several cheese products have been voluntarily recalled by Washington-based Twin Sisters Creamery, after tests revealed they may have been contaminated with pathogenic strains of E. coli. 

Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheese products have been recalled. A third-party lab confirmed that some cheese samples they tested contained strains of the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and E. coli O103, according to the company press release.

Why It Matters

Both E. Coli and STEC have the potential to cause life-threatening infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. E. coli O103, in particular, can also trigger severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and it can also lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney damage or even failure. 

What To Know

On October 25, Twin Sisters Creamery of Ferndale, Washington, initiated a voluntary recall of 2.5lb. wheels of Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheese products. According to the company announcement, which the FDA published, these cheese products were “made from raw and unpasteurized milk and aged at least 60 days.” 

Twin Sisters Creamery is recalling affected cheese products that were shipped to distributors across Oregon and Washington from July 27 to October 22. There’s a concern that these distributors may have further distributed the affected cheese to retail stores, food businesses, and restaurants, spreading the risk across the state. 

For instance, food distributor Peterson Company has issued a recall notice for Twin Sisters-branded Whatcom Blue and Farmhouse Cheese products, which they distributed to retailers, food businesses, caterers, and restaurants across Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington between August 14 and October 24.

Twin Sisters Creamery batch codes include: Whatcom Blue cheese: 250527B, 250610B, 250618B, 250624BFarmhouse cheese products: 250603F, 250616BPeppercorn cheese products: 250603PMustard Seed cheese products: 250616M

Peterson Company’s manufacturer codes include: Whatcom Blue cheese: 793511, 781511, 775511, 761511Farmhouse cheese products: 765511, 752511, 738511, 726511

As of October 27, three cases of E. coli O103 infection have been reported in Oregon and Washington—but only one has been linked to the Farmhouse cheese product. 

Distributors, consumers, retailers, food businesses, caterers, and restaurants in the Oregon and Washington areas have been advised to check for affected cheese, dispose of any recalled items, and sanitize surfaces they may have contacted. 

Consumers can get a full refund at the point of purchase. 

What People Are Saying

Twin Sisters Creamery warned consumers in its recall notice that if they still have recalled products, “Do not eat or use them, throw them away, and clean and sanitize surfaces they touched. Consumers concerned about an illness should contact a medical professional.” 

In its recall announcement, Peterson Company warned, "E. coli 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.” 

What Happens Next

For questions, consumers can contact Twin Sisters Creamery at (360) 656-5240 (Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-5 pm PT) or Peterson Company at (800) 735-0313 X2101.