Maryland Orchard Recalls Its Locally Sold Apple Cider

Baugher's Orchard and Farm in Westminster, Md., has issued a voluntary recall for its unpasteurized apple cider. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says the product could be connected with a string of seven E. coli infections.

Three people have been hospitalized since last week.

Fran Phillips, the health department's deputy secretary for public health services, says she usually sees about 20 individual E. coli cases like this one every year, but a cluster of illness caused by one product is rare.

"It was very important that we take action right away to immediately go to the source to take samples of the cider and processing equipment to have all of that cider removed from sale," Phillips says.

Baugher's Orchard will not be allowed to produce the apple cider until the health department determines how the contamination occurred.