Recall Alert: Washington Dairy Company Issues Yogurt Recall Amid E. Coli Outbreak

Washington dairy company Pure Eire Dairy is recalling all of its yogurt products after state officials informed it of a link between the products and an E. Coli outbreak affecting 11 people, including six children.

The recall notice was issued Friday on the company’s Facebook page, and includes all of the brand’s yogurts, including those sold under the PCC Community Market brand.

Pure Eire Dairy is not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes end in class action lawsuits

On Saturday, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) said there had been a multi-county E. coli outbreak and it had identified a likely link to yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy. The suspected contamination involved E. Coli O157:H7. 

“Anyone who has PCC Community Market brand yogurt at home should not eat it and should throw it away,” the DOH said.

As of Saturday, there had been 11 confirmed cases in the outbreak, including six children under the age of 10 who were infected with bacteria that was genetically linked. 

Counties with cases include Benton, King, Snohomish and Walla Walla, officials said. Seven people have been hospitalized. 

Three people had developed a serious complication of E. coli infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome, officials said.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a condition that affects the blood and blood vessels. It results in the destruction of blood platelets, a low red blood cell count and kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Other symptoms of an E. coli infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps and blood in the stool. Anyone who ate the yogurt and has experienced symptoms, especially bloody diarrhea, should contact their health care provider right away, officials said.

In Friday’s post, Pure Eire Dairy said it was awaiting further testing information from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). 

“However, out of an abundance of caution we are voluntarily recalling all of our yogurt products and halting yogurt production until further investigations are conducted,” it said. 

The dairy manufacturer asked all retail shelves to pull inventory of its yogurt products and halt sales, also asking consumers to stop eating any yogurt they may have from the company. It later posted an update saying 12 random products had been tested and did not contain E. Coli. It did not advise followers about the E. Coli outbreak linked to its products.

“We take any and all contamination concerns very seriously.  Your health and safety have always been our primary concern,” it said.

Concerned customers could contact owners Richard and Jill Smith on 509-301-9512 or 541-571-1693.

Yogurt is often at the center of class action lawsuits. Last month, a proposed $2.6 million settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit accusing Blue Diamond of misleading consumers about the vanilla flavoring in its almond milk yogurt.

What do you think of the company’s handling of this yogurt recall? Let us know in the comments! 

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