Posted: November 4th, 2010 - 11:09pm by Doug Powell

In the fall of 1998, I accompanied one of my four daughters on a kindergarten trip to the farm. After petting the animals and touring the crops --I questioned the fresh manure on the strawberries --we were assured that all the food produced was natural.

We then returned for unpasteurized apple cider. The host served the cider in a coffee urn, heated, so my concern about it being unpasteurized was abated. I asked: "Did you serve the cider heated because you heard about other outbreaks and were concerned about liability?"

She responded, "No. The stuff starts to smell when it's a few weeks old and heating removes the smell.”



I repeat this story, again, because more people are once again sick with E. coli O157:H7 linked to unpasteurized cider.

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are conducting an investigation into a cluster of seven E. coli O157 infections.

There have been no deaths, although three of seven cases have resulted in hospitalization.

A potential association exists with the consumption of unpasteurized Baugher's apple cider.

In response to the ongoing investigation, Baugher's Orchard and Farm of Westminster, issued a voluntary recall of all its apple cider due to its potential contaminants. At this time, no other Baugher's products are affected by the recall.