FDA Confiscates Bravo Cheeses Made with Raw Milk

It began as an alert, soon escalated to a recall, and now has resulted in a government seizure of more than 80,000 lbs. of cheese.  The cheeses involved were Bravo Farms’ Gouda, Edam, and white cheddar. What was wrong with the cheeses?  The recall, in November, 2010, came after Bravo’s Dutch–style Gouda (produced in Traver, California) was linked to a 5-state E. coli outbreak that sickened 38 people (some of whom are suing Bravo and the stores that sold them a Bravo product).

Federal and state officials took samples and found that some of the cheese tested positive for E. coli and listeria (bacteria that can cause serious intestinal illnesses). The Justice Department has confiscated the cheese.  Prosecutors filed a civil complaint—against the cheese, not its producers.  At present, the cheese is impounded at Bravo Farms and, say the prosecutors, its next stop is the garbage disposal. 

Concerns about artisan cheeses made with raw (unpasteurized) milk have caused the FDA to inspect 102 facilities since April, 2010.  Of 147 cheese samples taken, 32 tested positive for listeria (which can be a dangerous pathogen for young children, the elderly and the fetuses of pregnant women.  Despite the widely-publicized risks of consuming products made with raw milk, many consumers purchase them because, they say, the products taste better than those made with pasteurized milk and/or because they believe that “natural” food is healthier.

Was it the raw milk that contaminated the Bravo Farm cheeses?  No one knows for sure.  Inspectors of the facilities found many unsafe conditions and practices that could cause contamination. Here are just some of the inspectors’ observations: At least 50 flies were seen in the processing areas, and a rabbit was observed leaving the room in which packaging material was stored.  There was inadequate protection against cross-contamination from equipment, utensils, and employees who were not keeping their hands clean and sanitized.  Furthermore, the firm lacked the controls needed to assure that cheese made from raw milk would be aged for the minimum requirement of 60 days.  (About.com explains: “Since 1949, the U.S. government has forbidden the sale of cheeses made from unpasteurized milk unless the cheese is aged at least 60 days…After 60 days, the acids and salts in raw-milk cheese naturally prevent listeria, salmonella, and E. coli from growing.”)

Bravo Farms sells a variety of cheeses—including Gouda, Pepper Jack, Tulare Cannonball, and several types of cheddar--at retail stores throughout the U.S. but mainly on the West Coast.  Ironically, in August, 2010, the company was named Top Cheddar in the U.S.  Bravo Farms, now restarting cheese-making operations after a long shutdown related to the outbreak, is exclusively using pasteurized milk.  Co-owner Jonathan Van Ryn says that the company may use raw milk again in the future but most likely would age it even longer than the 60-day requirement.  The company also claims to have improved its procedures and facilities to reduce the risk of contaminating the cheeses.

The Los Angeles Times points out the following: “…the seizure raises questions about the safety measures taken by small food producers—and whether it’s economically feasible (or fair) for them to be held to the same rules as larger commercial operations.”  The newspaper also points out that an amendment to the new Food Safety Act exempts food producers from new safety requirements if a) they have less than $500,000 a year in annual sales; and b) they sell the majority of their products directly to consumers, restaurants, and retailers within their state or within 275 miles of where the item was produced.  However, local and state food safety and health agencies are supposed to oversee the operations of these small local farmers. 

Note:  To reach this site’s other articles about the Bravo Farms alert and recall, type “Bravo Farms” into the search feature on the home page.

Source(s):

Chicago Tribune “Something Just Didn’t Smell Right: Federal agents seize cheese in war of regulators, foodies” 2/1/11, p. 18.

fda.gov “Bravo Farms Cheese Recall”

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm234691.htm

latimesblogs.  “Feds nab raw-milk cheese in California food-safety case”

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/01/federal-bravo-farms-artisan-raw-milk-cheese-seizure-food-safety.html

Food Poison Journal.  “Bravo Farms E. coli outbreak sets stage for FDA investigation, cheese seizure”

http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/2011/01/articles/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/bravo-farms-e-coli-outbreak-sets-stage-for-fda-investigation-cheese-seizure/

Food Poisoning Law Blog “FDA Sweep of E. coli Cheese Makers Includes Confiscation at Bravo Farms”

http://foodpoisoning.pritzkerlaw.com/archives/cat-e-coli-lawyer.html

about.com “Raw-Milk Cheese”

http://cheese.about.com/od/cheesebuyingguide/a/raw_cheese.htm