Thread: Authorities seize bathtub cheese

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3669209

Authorities seize bathtub cheese
Edward Barrera


Illegal "bathtub cheese" was scooped up along with 400 pounds of food in several raids by local, state and federal officials in unincorporated areas in western Riverside County on Sunday.
Officials with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said they found several illegal markets, including one on the 8500 block of Archibald Avenue in the community of Eastvale and another on the 3500 block of Campbell Street in Glen Avon, where they believe vendors were selling illegal unprocessed cheese and uninspected meat products.

The unprocessed cheese is referred to as "bathtub cheese" because of the unsanitary conditions where the product is made and the health risk it poses.

From 50 to 500 people gather at these locations, where vendors often sell alcohol, food and other items without licenses, said Sgt. Tim Morin.

Authorities from the sheriff's department, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies started compliance checks of known party venues at about 7 a.m., Morin said.

Morin said officers seized 35 pounds of cheese, and 400 pounds of other food and equipment.

CDFA officers arrested an Eastvale couple, Onesimo and Sylvia Coronel, on suspicion of felony manufacturing and distribution of "bathtub cheese" and operating an illegal food facility.

Officials also issued eight misdemeanor citations and are continuing their investigations.

My God! Not the dreaded bathroom cheese again!

Lovely.

W