Mountain Man Market of Cana, Virginia is recalling 1/2 gallon containers of Mountain Man Apple Cider because it may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, according to news reports. The bacteria is identified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause serious illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kind of kidney failure. This recall is not listed on the FDA site.
The recalled Mountain Man Apple Cider was distributed locally in Canada, Virginia at the Mountain Man Market on and before November 10, 2018. The product is packaged in a clear 1/2 gallon container. This cider has not been pasteurized, a process that destroys pathogenic bacteria.
If you bought this product, do not drink it and do not use it to cook or bake. Discard it or return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.
Unpasteurized apple cider can be a health risk because apples, like all produce, can be contaminated in the field or grove by animals, through contaminated irrigation water, or by contaminated processing or shipping containers. Health experts recommend that people, especially those in high risk groups like the very young and elderly, avoid unpasteurized cider.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include painful and severe stomach and abdominal cramps, a mild fever, and diarrhea that can be watery and bloody. People usually start to feel sick a few days, up to 10 days, after exposure to the pathogen. Call your doctor if you develop these symptoms.
If the patient is under the age of 5 years old, or if antibiotics are given to treat this infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can develop. Symptoms of HUS include reduced or no urine output, easy bruising, lethargy, and pale skin. Medical treatment is needed for this complication to prevent kidney failure.
