Consumer Advisory: MDARD Urges Consumers Not to Eat Hickory Knoll Cheese Products Because of Potential Health Risk

LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers not to eat any cheese produced by Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, LLC of Onondaga, Michigan, as it may have been manufactured and held under insanitary conditions without adequate pasteurization or antibiotic testing. Consumers are encouraged to dispose of any product they may have. All products should be labeled with the name Hickory Knoll Farms, and based on information collected during inspection, the products are believed to have been sold directly from the facility or at farmers markets throughout Michigan, including, but not limited to:

• Hickory Knoll Farms Creamery, 2655 Gould Rd, Onondaga, MI 49264
• Allen Farmers Market in Lansing
• City of East Lansing Farmer's Market in East Lansing
• Meridian Township Farmers Market in Okemos
• Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids
• East Lansing Underground Market in East Lansing

The impacted products include, but are not limited to, all lot codes of:

• Goat Milk Cheeses
  • Chevre (Plain, Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic, Rio Grande, Blueberry Almond, or Garlic Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts)
  • Feta
  • Charbonnel (Tomme)
  • Cheddar
  • Cabra Borracho (Drunken Goat)
  • Quixote (Manchego)
  • Rhymney (Caerphilly)
• Cow Milk Cheeses
  • Cheese Curds (Plain, Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic, or Garlic Dill)
  • Fresh Mozzarella
  • Lounell (Tomme)
  • Lounell al Vino (Wine Soaked)
  • Harmony (Beer Soaked)
  • Marie (Camembert Style)
  • White Cheddar Cheese
  • White Cheddar Cheese with Sundried Tomato Basil Garlic
  • Poitou (Raclette)
  • LeaMin (Gruyere)
  • Kronberg (Appenzeller)
  • Raw Milk Asiago
  • Gouda
  • Pepper Jack
  • Parmesan

While no illnesses or hospitalizations associated with Hickory Knoll's products have been reported, consuming food produced under insanitary conditions and not fully pasteurized or adequately tested for antibiotic residues can pose a significant health risk, especially to the young and elderly, immunocompromised, and others who are allergic to certain antibiotics.

MDARD is urging any individuals who believe they have consumed this product and are experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weakness, headache, chest tightness, trouble breathing, tingling, dizziness, wheezing, or other symptoms associated with a foodborne illness or an allergic reaction to seek medical advice.

Consumers are encouraged to dispose of any product in their possession. If consumers have additional questions or concerns, they may contact MDARD at 800-292-3939, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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