British Columbia

Quebec E. coli illness linked to B.C. cheese recall

The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed one more illness linked to E.coli contaminated cheese from British Columbia.

Total number of illnesses under investigation now 14, with one death

Gort's Gouda has been linked to an outbreak of E. coli-linked illnesses in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Quebec. Fourteen cases are under investigation, including one death in B.C. (CBC)

The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed one more illness linked to E.coli contaminated cheese from British Columbia.

The number of cases under investigation now totals 14.

An outbreak of bacteria at Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, B.C., has been blamed for an elderly B.C. woman's death and a rash of illnesses across multiple provinces.

The CFIA says that a number of Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm products, including Mild Gouda Cheese sold in packages of various sizes, bearing a red "Raw" sticker as shown, may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

The health agency has now added a case in Quebec to its national tally of four in British Columbia, eight in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan.

It says those people became ill between mid-July and early September.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled 15 raw-milk cheese products sold online, at the Gort's farm and elsewhere in British Columbia and Alberta between May 27 to Sept. 14.

Recalled cheeses

  • Mild Gouda cheese sold in packages of various sizes bearing a red "Raw" sticker, sold at certain retail stores in British Columbia and through Internet sales from May 27 to September 14, 2013

All sizes of the raw milk cheeses sold at the manufacturer's outlet, at retail stores in Alberta and British Columbia, and through internet sale from May 27 to September 14  listed below are affected by the recall:

  • Medium Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato.
  • Aged Quaso de Prato.
  • X Aged Quaso de Prato.
  • Cumin Quaso de Prato.
  • Greek Blend: Onion, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper, Thyme, Oregano Quaso de Prato.
  • Gouda Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers Quaso de Prato.
  • Smoked Gouda Cheese Quaso de Prato.
  • Gouda Cheese with Red Peppers, Ginger, Onions & Garlic Quaso de Prato.
  • Peppercorn, Ginger, Paprika, Onion & Garlic Quaso de Prato.
  • Parsley, Celery, Onion, Garlic, Dill & Chives Quaso de Prato.
  • Maasdammer.
  • Beaufort.
  • Parmesan.
  • Mazouda.

With files from CBC News