Escherichia coli may sometimes be found in soft, mouldripened
or washed-rind cheese made from raw milk.
Although Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 (as amended)
has no criteria for E. coli in cheese made from raw milk16 it
is recommended that these cheese types be routinely
tested for E. coli and investigation undertaken if a change
in trend is detected. It is also recommended that a risk
assessment is performed to assess the need for periodic
monitoring for VTEC O157. Tests should be urgently
applied where there is epidemiological evidence linking
VTEC infection with specific foods (please refer to Table 1
and section 2.2.2 for information on VTEC O157).