Five people in France have become ill after ingesting a brand of raw fermented milk. E. coli O26:H11, which produces the Shiga toxin, infected four kids and one adult. The sicknesses happened this year at the end of March and the beginning of April. Two cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a severe complication associated with E. coli infections, have been investigated by Santé publique France in the Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France regions. It was suspected that the consumption of fermented raw milk was the source of the infections.

The genetic profiles of the isolated strains of E. coli were validated by sequencing, revealing a similar source of contamination. Food investigations helped pinpoint the source of the epidemic in Hauts-de-France and made it possible to sample milk that was being sold at the time of the inspections. The milk in question was Belgian fermented raw milk.

The National Reference Laboratory (NRL) has examined samples of this milk that were collected in Hauts-de-France. NRL is performing sequencing to see if there is a link based on results and comparison with human strains.

Fermented raw milk under the Ferme Dumortier brand name was recalled in France last week. Based in Rekkem, Belgium, the farm. All lots sold since mid-March are included in the announcement. A 2-liter bottle with a red or green lid holds the beverage. It was sold in a few L’Oasis locations in Lille.

According to the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, one adult was ill in Belgium. There is a match between the strain discovered in Belgium and that evaluated by France.

Consumer Advice:

As a precautionary measure, French health authority recommend that certain vulnerable populations should avoid consuming these products, particularly young children under the age of 5. Additionally, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly are also advised to follow this recommendation.