NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Board of Animal Health
317-227-0350
For Immediate Release
Indianapolis, IN - March 23, 2000 - Routine surveillance by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health's Dairy Division revealed high levels of E.coli in some Wisconsin-made cheeses. Consumers should not consume two products manufactured by Salemville Amish Cheese of Kingston, Wisc.
Products of concern are Salemville Amish Blue Cheese and Salemville Amish Gorgonzolla, both labeled as distributed by Dan Carter, Inc., Mayville, Wisc. The cheese was offered for sale at various retail outlets throughout Indiana. The cheese is sold in wedges (various weights) and in crumbles packaged in 4 oz. plastic tubs and 5-pound bulk bags. Affected products carry freshness dates from March 11 through July 23.
Thirteen of 17 product samples taken indicate higher-than-normal levels of E.coli. While the specific strain of bacteria has not yet been identified, testing has found no signs of what has become perhaps the most notorious of the strains of E.coli: H7:0157.
According to George Jones, Director of BOAH Diary Division, no consumer illness or complaints have been reported.
"The potential for illness if someone was to consume these products is unknown: there are too many variables yet to be identified. Test levels raise concern about this product," explains Jones. "We'll know more after Wisconsin official complete further testing and study at the manufacturing plant level."
The State Board of Animal Health is cooperating with the Indiana State Department of Health to update county health departments statewide for further checks of local retail outlets.
Consumers who may have purchased either of these products should dispose of the unused portion.
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