Recalled dairy products are now under the most severe hazard warning due to concerns about potential contamination with salmonella, a common cause of food poisoning.
The Grande Cheese Company initiated a recall on May 1, involving about 1,726,910 pounds of whey and dairy products destined for restaurants and food manufacturers. Recently, the FDA escalated the recall to a “Class I” risk level, indicating a high risk of severe health consequences or even death if the contaminated products are consumed.
The map above displays the states impacted by the distribution of the recalled products, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the recalled products were distributed to Canada, Ecuador, and Japan.
The FDA lists the specific products subject to the recall, including various types of whey protein and cultured dairy products produced by Grande Cheese Company.
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, usually lasting up to a week. While typically not life-threatening, salmonella poisoning can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable individuals like the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
It’s still unclear how the salmonella contamination occurred, how it was detected, or whether any consumers have reported illness as a result of consuming the recalled products.
The Grande Cheese Company boasts on its website about its high-quality cheese for pizzerias and restaurants, as well as specialty whey products that enhance the taste, texture, and nutrition of various food and beverage products.