Gorgonzola Cheese Costco

An investigation prompted by illnesses linked to Costco cheese has turned up another cheese contaminated with E. coli.

Mauri Gorgonzola cheese with sell by dates January 13, 2011, and January 14, 2011, distributed by DPI Specialty Foods of Tualatin, Ore., is being recalled because it could potentially be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The cheese was only sold in Costco stores in Colorado.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of foodborne illness bacteria E. coli O157:H7 in an unopened package of the cheese during an investigation to find the source of several E. coli illnesses among people who sampled cheese at Costco’s “Cheese Road Show” from Oct. 14-17.While the Gorgonzola tested positive, it did not match the outbreak strain associated with previous illnesses.

Bravo Farms Dutch Style Raw Milk Gouda Cheese has been linked to the outbreak. The Gouda cheese (Costco item 40654) was sold at Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, and was recalled last week.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mauri Gorgonzola cheese is packaged in clear plastic in approximately 1 lb. wedges. The recalled 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.

Customers who purchased the cheese may return it to Costco for refunds or dispose of it by placing it in a closed plastic bag in the trash.

E. coli is a pathogen that causes food poisoning, and often resides within the intestines of animals and is passed through fecal material. It is often linked to meat, but is also found in other foods produced near animals. Symptoms of E. coli include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration and in extreme cases, kidney failure. If you experience any of these symptoms you should visit a health care provider and have your case evaluated by a North Charleston personal injury lawyer .