Potentially dangerous dairy sold at Michigan markets

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising people not to eat any cheese produced by Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, of Onondaga, Michigan, after it was discovered the products may have been "manufactured and held under insanitary conditions without adequate pasteurization or antibiotic testing," health officials said Monday.

Anyone with Knoll Farm Creamery products is encouraged to dispose of any product they may have.

MDARD says all products should be labeled with the name 'Hickory Knoll Farms.'

Based on information collected during inspection, the products are believed to have been sold directly from the facility or at farmers markets throughout Michigan, including, but not limited to:

• Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, 2655 Gould Rd, Onondaga, MI 49264
• 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
• East Lansing Underground Market in East Lansing

The impacted products include, but are not limited to, all lot codes of:

• Goat Milk Cheeses
• Chévre (Plain, Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic, Rio Grande, Blueberry Almond, or Garlic Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts)
• Feta
• Charbonnel (Tomme)
• Cheddar
• Cabra Borracho (Drunken Goat)
• Quixote (Manchego)
• Rhymney (Caerphilly)
• Cow Milk Cheeses
• Cheese Curds (Plain, Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic, or Garlic Dill)
• Fresh Mozzarella
• Lounell (Tomme)
• Lounell al Vino (Wine Soaked)
• Harmony (Beer Soaked)
• Marie (Camembert Style)
• While Cheddar Cheese
• White Cheddar Cheese with Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic
• Poitou (Raclette)
• LeaMin (Gruyére)
• Kronberg (Appenzeller)
• Raw Milk Asiago
• Gouda
• Pepper Jack
• Parmesan

"While no illnesses or hospitalizations associated with Hickory Knoll’s products have been reported, consuming food produced under insanitary conditions and not fully pasteurized or adequately tested for antibiotic residues can pose a significant health risk, especially to the young and elderly, immunocompromised, and others who are allergic to certain antibiotics," MDARD officials said.

Symptoms of illness include 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.

If consumers have additional questions or concerns, they may contact MDARD at 800-292-3939, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.