Butter Recalled for Potential Fecal Contamination: Everything to Know

Dairy cooperative Agri-Mark has voluntarily recalled a single lot of Cabot Creamery 8-ounce Extra Creamy Premium Butter with sea salt, capturing the internet's attention thanks to its ick factor. The particularly disturbing food recall was due to "an elevated level of coliform bacteria" discovered during product testing. Coliform is a bacteria often associated with fecal matter (or, poop). Some types of coliform can also be found in plants, soil and in the intestines of animals. It's not always harmful. However, the infamous E. coli bacteria is a type of coliform that can cause severe digestive distress. A high-profile and deadly E. coli outbreak was traced to McDonald's last year. Dairy manufacturer testing targets non-fecal coliforms, says Nicole Martin, assistant research professor in dairy foods microbiology and the director of the Milk Quality Improvement Program in the Department of Food Science at Cornell University. "Non-fecal coliforms are primarily environmental organisms ... Read full article.