The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall of cheese products by Wisconsin‘s Grande Cheese Company to Class I, indicating the most serious level of risk. The recall was initiated due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Products affected by the recall include Grande Lactose (30600 and 30601), Grande Bravo 250 and 300 Functional Proteins (32101 and 32102), Grande Bravo 500 and 600 Functional Proteins (32103 and 32106), Grande Bravo 550 and 600 Functional Proteins (32105 and 32110), Grande Ultra 8000 and 9100 Nutritional Isolates of Whey Protein (32220), and Grande Ultra and 9150 Nutritional Isolates of Whey Protein (32324), among others.
These products were sold in Arkansas and California, with some distributed internationally in countries like Canada, Ecuador, and Japan.
Grande Cheese Company in Wisconsin took action on May 1 to recall the products after discovering the potential contamination. Salmonella from contaminated products can cause a serious illness known as salmonellosis, commonly transmitted through food consumption.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, proper food handling practices and handwashing can minimize the risk of Salmonella infection. Symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fever. While most cases are mild and resolve within a few days, individuals with weakened immune systems or other health conditions may experience severe symptoms.
Class I recalls by the FDA reflect a high risk of serious health consequences or death from product use. In contrast, Class II recalls involve potential health hazards, and Class III recalls pose no significant risk.