The Public Health Agency of Canada, along with its health and food safety partners, is investigating 21 cases of E. coli O157:H7 illness; 9 in British Columbia, 9 in Alberta and 1 each in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec.
These individuals became ill between mid-July and early September. Most people who become ill from E.coli bacteria will recover within 5 to 10 days.
Certain contaminated cheese products manufactured by Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, have been identified as the source of the illnesses. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a Health Hazard Alert warning the public not to consume the affected product. Should additional products be recalled as part of the ongoing food safety investigation, the CFIA will immediately inform the public.