brunkow.gifOn May 13, 2011, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, filed a complaint requesting that U.S. Marshals seize cheese products distributed by Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Inc. Brunkow, a company based in Darlington, Wisconsin, manufactures, packs, labels, and distributes a variety of cheese products.

The complaint alleged that in February 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration performed an inspection of the company’s facility and found evidence of rodent activity. FDA conducted a follow up visit at the end of April 2011 and determined that Brunkow had not resolved the rodent contamination problem. The complaint further alleged that the products are adulterated within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Today, FDA issued a press release stating that U.S. Marshals did, in fact, seize certain cheese products at the facility on May 17, and May 18, 2011.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rodents can transmit diseases both directly and indirectly. Specifically, Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of rodents and can be transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with rodent feces.