A dairy company in the United States has been forced to recall some of its butter products over fears it may have been contaminated with bacteria commonly found in fecal matter.
The Vermont-based firm recalled more than 770 kg of butter because it may be contaminated with coliform, a group of bacteria that includes strains like E.coli.
Agri-Mark recalled 189 cases of Cabot Creamery 8-ounce premium butter made with sea salt, according to a notice from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The butter was distributed in seven states across the country: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
The recall was issued on March 26 and is ongoing, according to the FDA.
It is classified as the lowest level of recall, Class III, which means it's not likely to cause health problems in people.
Consumers should not eat or use the recalled butter, which has a best-by date of September 9. It is identified as lot 090925-055, item 2038.
Agri-Mark officials said in statement that the company recovered 99.5 per cent of the potentially contaminated lot before it was sold to consumers.
The firm said that 17 packages of the butter were sold to consumers in the state of Vermont.
Agri-Mark officials said that they have "taken the appropriate internal actions to address" the cause.
What happens if you consume coliform bacteria?
Coliform bacteria are found in the environment and in the faeces of all warm-blooded animals and humans.
The bacteria likely will not cause illness but could indicate the presence of disease-causing germs.
If disease-causing germs are present, it's likely to cause gastrointestinal upset, such as stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
People with compromised immune systems are most at risk of falling ill from disease-causing strains of coliform, including children and the elderly, though this is rare.
