Costco Colorado Cheese E. coli Part Two
The Colorado Costco cheese E. coli outbreak has expanded and investigators have identified a second type of cheese sold at Costco that sampled positive for E. coli 0157:H7. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment announced the recall of Mauri Gorgonzola cheese with sell-by dates of January 13, 2011, and January 14, 2011. E. coli 0157:H7 was found in an unopened package tested at the state health department’s laboratory.
The gorgonzola was tested as part of the public health investigation into the Costco gouda cheese E. coli outbreak that has resulted in 10 confirmed illnesses in Colorado, 15 in Arizona, 3 in southern California, 3 in New Mexico and 2 in Nevada. However, the DNA fingerprint of the gorgonzola cheese does not match the outbreak strain of E. coli associated with Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda cheese. Colorado officials say the two incidents appear to be separate and to date no illnesses associated with the gorgonzola cheese have been identified..jpg)
Still, consumers are cautioned not to eat Mauri Gorgonzola cheese that was sold only at Costco stores in Colorado. The recalled 1-pound wedges of cheese can be identified by the following information contained on a white sticker on the package: “DISTRIBUTED BY DPI Specialty Foods Tualatin, OR, ITALY 34449” with sell by dates of “01/13/11” or “01/14/11.” The Costco item number is 34449.
In regard to the Colorado E. coli outbreak that has been preliminarily linked to Bravo Farms Dutch Style Gouda Cheese, investigation continues by state and federal agencies. The outbreak strain of E. coli has been detetected in two samples of open cheese taken from the homes of separate case patients. Initially there were eight confirmed illnesses in Colorado, but an update provided this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 10 state residents are recognized victims. Of the 33 total victims in 5 states, 15 were hospitalized and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
A claims center for families and individuals affected by the outbreak has been established by law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., in advance of a cheese lawsuit against Bravo Farms and Costco. To contact an E. coli lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, call 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.
