According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seven people in California, Texas, and Florida have been infected with the E. coli bacteria. Two people have been hospitalized, Prevention reports.
Four of the infected are children under the age of three. The FDA is now investigating whether raw cheddar cheese produced by the company Raw Farm is the source of the outbreak.
Authorities have recommended that the company remove the products from the market, but Raw Farm has rejected the request.
Risk linked to raw milk
The cheese is made from raw milk, which has not been heat-treated.
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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raw milk can contain dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella.
E. coli can cause symptoms including diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. In severe cases, the bacteria can lead to kidney failure.
However, the FDA stated that the bacteria has not yet been found directly in the cheese products that have been tested, and investigations are continuing.
Slow recall process
Experts say it is not unusual for products to remain on store shelves during an investigation.
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One reason is that companies can refuse to recall products if no direct evidence has been found.
According to experts, the process often takes time because authorities must gather sufficient documentation before they can force a company to take action.
Sources: Prevention, FDA, and CDC.
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