A New York dairy company has recalled a lot of raw milk cheddar cheese distributed across several states, including New York, over concerns that it may be contaminated with E. coli.
Family Farmstead Dairy announced Thursday that it was pulling Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese with a best-by date of July 22, 2027. The recalled product was sold to retailers in New York and New Jersey, according to a notice shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The company said testing indicated that the affected batch could contain toxin-producing E. coli.
The recall also covers cheese distributed in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. Because the product may have moved through other distributors, it could have reached additional states, the announcement said.
Family Farmstead Dairy, based in Worcester, supplies a range of dairy products to grocery retailers nationwide. Its website lists Whole Foods Market and FreshDirect among the stores that carry its products.
The company said no other Family Farmstead Dairy products are included in the recall.
The potential contamination came to light after a Maryland sample identified two strains of toxin-producing E. coli in two samples of the cheddar cheese, according to the dairy.
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At the time of Thursday’s announcement, the company said it had received no reports of illnesses or allergic reactions linked to the recalled cheese.
“We sincerely apologize to our customers, retail partners, and consumers for the inconvenience caused by this recall,” Family Farmstead Dairy said in its notice.
“Product quality is an utmost priority here at Family Farmstead so we are committed to identifying the cause of this issue and taking all necessary corrective actions to ensure the continued safety and quality of our products.”
E. coli infections can cause diarrhea, sometimes involving bloody stools. Most otherwise healthy adults recover fully within about a week.
In more serious cases, the infection can lead to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, or HUS, a form of kidney failure that may cause severe kidney damage and can be fatal.
Young children and older adults face the greatest risk of developing HUS.
The Post contacted Family Farmstead Dairy for additional comment.