In what has hit the dozen mark of raw milk and/or raw milk cheese outbreak and/or recall 2010, this press release landed in my inbox as I was packing to head home to Seattle from Washington D. C.  According to a press release by Sally Jackson Cheese of Oroville, Washington, the company is recalling all cheese products, including cow, goat, and sheep, because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. coli O157:H7).

Sally Jackson brand cheeses made from raw cow, goat, and sheep milk were distributed nationwide. The cheeses were distributed to restaurants, distributors, and retail stores.

The three types of cheese are all soft raw milk cheeses in various sized pieces. The products do not have labels or codes. The cow and sheep milk cheeses are wrapped in chestnut leaves, the goat cheese is wrapped in grape leaves and all are secured with twine. The cheeses may have an outer wrapping of waxed paper.

The products have been identified as a possible source of E. coli infections currently under investigation.

The problem was revealed as a result of follow-up by the FDA of a report of an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. The notification came from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Department of Health, and the Oregon Public Health Division.

It has been a busy year for E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella and Campylobacter in milk and cheese (mostly raw) and it is not over yet – recalls, outbreaks or the year.  You can download the entire chart with links.  I need to update the chart.  Also, here is a link to stores that received the cheese and inspection reports on the Cheese Makers.