This Michigan Cheese Should Be Thrown Out Right Away
Michigan state regulators are warning consumers to throw out Michigan cheese sold at various spots throughout the state. If you have this brand of cheese, you should throw it out immediately, as it could make you very sick. Recalls are always a scary thing, and it’s good to stay aware of them so you can keep your family safe.
Throw Out This Michigan Cheese
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is telling consumers that some Michigan cheese produced at Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, LLC of Onondaga, Michigan could have been made in unsanitary conditions without pasteurization or antibiotic testing. According to inspectors, all of the impacted products are labeled with the name, “Hickory Knoll Farms.”
The impacted cheese was sold either at the facility or various farmers markets throughout Michigan. Inspectors want you to throw out the cheese. Don’t eat it.
State officials also said the farmers markets that they believe the cheese product was sold include Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery at 2655 Gould Road in Onondaga; Allen Farmers Market in Lansing; City of East Lansing Farmer’s Market in East Lansing; Meridian Township Farmers Market in Okemos; Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids; and East Lansing Underground Market in East Lansing.
The list of products that could be impacted is extensive. It includes goat milk cheeses, chévre (plain, sundried tomato basil garlic, Rio Grande, blueberry almond, garlic basil pesto with pine nuts), feta, cheddar, cow milk cheeses and many more. As I mentioned, the tally includes many other kinds of cheeses, too, so just throw it out if it says “Hickory Knoll Farms” on the package or container.
According to the MDARD, so far, no illnesses or hospitalizations have been reported, which is good news. But, they said that “consuming food produced under insanitary conditions and not fully pasteurized or tested for antibiotic residues can pose a significant health risk,” they state. “Those risks increase for young people, the elderly, those who are immunocompromised and others allergic to certain antibiotics.”
The MDARD adds that if you consumed any of these products and are experiencing symptoms such as “nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, chest tightness, trouble breathing, tingling, dizziness, wheezing, or other symptoms associated with a foodborne illness or an allergic reaction to seek medical advice.” If you have questions or concerns, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time.
