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Recalled Cheese From Raw Milk Creamery Blamed in Wrongful Death Suit

By George Khoury, Esq. on March 17, 2017 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Vulto Creamery, makers of handmade raw milk cheeses, has been named in the wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of a Vermont man that died as a result of listeria contamination back in November 2016. The lawsuit, filed by his widow, explains that Richard Friedman consumed the Vulto Creamery's cheese in October, before he fell ill due to the listeria contamination. After over a week in a hospital, Friedman suffered a stroke believed to be related to, or a result of, the listeria poisoning.

At this time, there have been six reported hospitalization, and two deaths, related to the specific strain of listeria that contaminated the Vulto raw milk cheese, all of which were reported between September 1, 2016 and the end of January 2017. The FDA and CDC began investigating the matter at the end of January 2017.

Raw Milk Cheese Recall

While most people are aware of the fact that raw milk products can pose a health risk if not made, stored, or handled properly, these products are still produced and consumed in volume. Even raw milk products that are tested by producers for contamination can become contaminated over time. While most large scale producers will not produce raw milk items, there are numerous smaller, and local, producers that do. However, recently the FDA and CDC have issued warnings about raw milk products and attempted to explain that drinking raw milk, and eating raw milk products, like raw milk cheeses, carries a risk.

After the recent listeria outbreak, the FDA tested samples from the Vulto Creamery and discovered the presence of listeria. After the tests, Vulto issued a recall, and ceased all production until the FDA and CDC complete their investigations (more information available on the recall is on the FDA's website). Despite the fact the Vulto Creamery is a regional and local cheese producers, and is less than 5 years old, the cheese it makes gets distributed nationwide and can be found in many Whole Foods stores.

Consumers should be aware that food producers can be held liable if consumers contract food borne illnesses, or food poisoning. If you have been injured or made sick due to food poisoning, or processed or packaged food, you should contact an experienced injury or food poisoning attorney to discuss your rights.

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