Possible Cause of Multistate Listeria Outbreak: Cheese

SEPT. 17 UPDATE: 

Peterson Company is recalling ricotta cheese from Forever Cheese with manufacturer codes 7022, 7212, 7272, and 7432.  For more information about this recall, click here. 

SEPT. 13 UPDATE:

Whole Foods Market is recalling Daniella ricotta salata  cheese from their stores in 21 states and Washington, D.C.  For details on this recall, click here.

So far, 14 reported illnesses in 11 states may be related to the following cheese recall: Forever Cheese Inc. is recalling all Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand, Forever Cheese lot # T9425 and/or production code 441202, from one specific production date due to possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. 

The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in CA, CO, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA between June 20 and August 9, 2012.  Products were sold to supermarkets, restaurants, and wholesale distributors.

The possibility of contamination was noted after illnesses were reported in connection with eating cheese. All distributors and retailers are being contacted in an effort to recall all remaining product in the marketplace. 

Listeria is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy individuals usually suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. 

If you believe that you have purchased any of this cheese, please contact your distributor or retailer for a full refund.  Any questions?  Call Forever Cheese (888)930-8693, general manager Jeff DiMeo, from 9 a.m.– 5p.m. EST, and mention "recall."

Source(s):

fda.gov  "Forever Cheese Recalls Ricotta Salata Frescolina Brand for Possible Health Risk"

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm318844.htm?source=govdelivery

foodsafetynews.com  "New Multistate Listeria Outbreak Riggers Cheese Recall"

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/09/new-multistate-listeria-outbreak-triggers-cheese-recall/ - .UE8-mkJQ0yE