Mauri Gorgonzola cheese with sell-by dates of 01/13/11 and 01/14/11 are being recalled because of a positive test for <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced. DPI Specialty Foods of Tualatin, Oregon, cut, packaged and distributed the cheese to Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) stores in Colorado.
Costco is using card record information to contact its members who bought the cheese.
Consumers in possession of the recalled Mauri Gorgonzola are urged to return it to Costco for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact DPI Specialty Foods at 1-800-597-3876. If not returning the recalled cheese, consumers are advised to dispose of it in a closed plastic bag and place it in a sealed trash can to prevent people or animals, including wild animals, from eating it.
Most people infected with E. coli O157:H7 develop diarrhea and abdominal cramps, but some illnesses may last longer and can be more severe. While most people recover within a week, some may develop a severe infection. Rarely, as symptoms of diarrhea improve, a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur; this can happen at any age but is most common in children under five years of age and in older adults. People with HUS should be hospitalized immediately, as their kidneys may stop working and they may be at risk for other serious health problems.
The bacterial strain from this cheese is different from the strain linked to those illnesses reported in the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Southwestern states. Investigations are ongoing to determine if any illnesses are associated with eating this recalled cheese. Also, the FDA is investigating how this cheese became contaminated.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention join DPI Specialty Foods in warning consumers not to eat the recalled Mauri Gorgonzola cheese. A sample of this cheese tested positive for E. coli O157:H7 in a Colorado state laboratory. Colorado officials discovered the positive sample during the investigation into the recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Southwestern states.
Anyone who experienced signs or symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 infection should contact his or her health care provider immediately. Health care providers should report any suspected infection to state or local public health authorities right away.
