The BC Centre for Disease Control is issuing an E. coli warning after one person died and several people became sick after eating a Gouda cheese from Salmon Arm.
UPDATE: Health Canada is investigating eleven cases of E.coli illness; four in British Columbia and seven in Alberta. Six more cases are suspected — four in B.C., two in Alberta.
One person in the Interior who had the same strain of E. coli and ate Gort’s gouda died in late August. However, the Centre for Disease Control has yet to conclusively link the cheese to the person’s death.
The agency says anyone with Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm products should throw them out, and a formal recall from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expected shortly.
The cases include both men and women across the province, spanning all age groups. Gort’s does ship its products across Canada, but so far the illnesses are confined to B.C.
BC Center for Disease Control says if you have consumed this cheese and feel well, there is no reason for alarm and no need to do anything. But if you have eaten the cheese within the past 10 days and have severe diarrhea or feel very sick, you should see a doctor.
Illnesses began in July and most people began displaying symptoms in late August to early September.
Gary Wikkerink, the owner of Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm spoke to Global News earlier this afternoon.
Wikkerink says the farm is still open for business, selling pausterized cheeses, milk and yougurt.
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As far as figuring out where the possible contamination came from, Wikkerink says,
“We are still investigating it. We are still baffled as to how it got in there.”
Wikkerink also told Global News they dealt with a recall of another product in the past, but no one became sick as the result.
Food safety staff from the BC Centre for Disease Control and Interior Health are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the CFIA and Health Canada to investigate the outbreak.
E. coli O157:H7 can cause stomach cramps and mild to severe diarrhea that can be bloody. Symptoms start two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria, and usually last between five to 10 days.
All sizes of the raw milk cheeses listed below are affected by this recall:
| Medium Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato |
| Aged Quaso de Prato |
| X Aged Quaso de Prato |
| Cumin Quaso de Prato |
| Greek Blend: Onion, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper, Thyme, Oregano Quaso de Prato |
| Gouda Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers Quaso de Prato |
| Smoked Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato |
| Gouda Cheese with Red Peppers, Ginger Onions & Garlic Quaso de Prato |
| Peppercorn, Ginger, Paprika, Onion & Garlic Quaso de Prato |
| Parsley, Celery, Onion, Garlic, Dill & Chives Quaso de Prato |
| Maasdammer |
| Beaufort |
| Parmesan |
| Mazouda |
***On Thursday, the agency added Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm brand Mild Gouda Cheese to the list.
These affected products were sold at the manufacturer’s outlet, at retail stores in Alberta and British Columbia, and through internet sale from May 27 to September 14, 2013, inclusive.
Lot codes 122 to 138 are affected by this recall.
Some product packages may not bear a lot code or indicate that the cheese was made with raw milk. These products were also sold clerk-served from deli counters with or without a label or coding. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer.
– With files from Justin McElroy
Video: Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm
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