Current Listeria Recalls Include Nine Brands of Cheese
Listeria, the pathogen responsible for the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak- the deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in U.S. history, is dominating food safety headlines in 2012 as the source of food recalls for ten brands of cheese and 20 varieties of vegetable sprouts. (UPDATED 1/612)
Listeria, which occurs everywhere in nature, can cause a serious, sometimes fatal infection called listeriosis. Onset of symptoms, which generally include fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea and upset stomach, can begin up to two months after ingestion of tainted food. In severe cases, symptoms will also include headaches, stiff neck, convulsions or death, according to the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pregnant women, young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or birth defects in newborns.
At least three illnesses have been reported in connection with these recalls. Anyone experiencing symptoms, should contact a healthcare provider.
Currently the nine brands of cheese with products under recall are: BMF, Brennan’s Cellars, El Viajero, Edelweiss, Green Cedar Dairy, HEB, Fromagerie Marie Kade, Miller’s Cheese Corp., Nordic Creamery and World Cheese Corp.
All but two of those brands, Green Cedar Dairy and Marie Kade, are associated with Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion of Monroe, Wisconsin, which issued the recall after samples of one product tested positive for Listeria.
The cheese products under recall are as follows:
BMF
BMF Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” -- 5 lb. packages, Distributed in New York. Sell by date of 16FEB12, 01MAR12 or 15MAR12, on product cases. The recalled product was distributed between October 21, 2011 and January 3, 2012.
Brennan’s
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Premium Fondue Blend
Emmentaler Swiss & Gruyere Cheese
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Mild Colored Cheddar Cheese,
Brennan’s Cellars Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
The recalled products were distributed to Brennan’s Stores located in Milwaukee, Dane and Green Counties in Wisconsin.
El Viajero
El Viajero Queso Quesadilla (Shredded)” -- 8 oz packages, UPC code 0 7282014045 7 (located on the bottom left of front label) and sell by dates of 24FEB12, 09MAR12 or 15MAR12, which are located on the back of the package. The recalled product was distributed in Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee and Florida between November 1, 2011 and January 3, 2012.
El Viajero Queso Cotija (Grated)” -- 4 lb. packages, Use-by code 09MAR12, located on the back of the package. The product was distributed in Indiana and Minnesota between November 11, 2011 and January 3, 2012.
Edelweiss Creamery
Edelweiss Creamery Premium Fondue Blend
16 ounce packages with a red and blue label UPC code of 758590116914 on the back of the package Identifier code of 290A11 on the back of the package
The products were distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Michigan, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin and sold between November 1, 2011 and December 30, 2011.
Fromagerie Marie Kade
Cedar brand Shinglish firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC: 78546 10000
Cedar brand Tresse firm unrippened cheese, delivered before November 13, 2011 UPC 78546 01000
These cheeses are sold in vacuum packs which bear the picture of a green cedar tree and were distributed in Southern California to Mediterranean specialty markets.
Fromagerie Marie Kade
Akawi Cheese Best Before 08 MAR 2012
Baladi Cheese Best Before 08 FEB 2012
Shinglish Cheese Best Before 07 NOV 2012
Tresse Cheese Best Before 10 NOV 2012
Vachekaval Cheese Best Before 10 MAR 2012
Halloom Best Before 01 MAY 2012
Moujadale Best Before 04 MAY 2012
These cheeses were distributed in Massachusetts to Cedar Market in Norwood and Bahnan’s in Worcester and bear the establishment number 1874
Green Cedar Dairy
All Natural Ackawi Cheese
All Natural Chives Cheese
The recalled cheeses have sell by dates up to July 1, 2012 The products, produced at Green Cedar Dairy (Plant # 26941), were distributed in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. They are sold in clear plastic vacuum-packed, square packages of 12 -14 oz. Two people who had contact with these products have confirmed cases of listeriosis.
HEB
HEB Queso Cotija (Grated)” – 8 oz. packages, Distributed in Texas. UPC code 0 4122024846 9 and sell-by dates of 08FEB12 and 09MAR12, which are located on the back of the package. Product was distributed between October 27, 2011 and December 23, 2011.
Miller’s Cheese Corp.
All 8 oz and 16 oz. bags of Miller’s shredded cheese (Pizza, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Fancy, Muenster), with an expiration of June 5,2012 through Sept 4, 2012
All 32 oz bags of Miller’s shredded Mozzarella with an expiration date of February 6, 2012 through May 7, 2012
All 5 lb bags of Miller’s shredded Mozzarella, Cheddar, Muenster and Monterey Jack with a pack date of September 8, 2011 through Dec 7, 2011
Please note: everything is expiration date except the 5 lb. Shredded bags are pack date
Nordic Creamery
Grumpy Goat Shreds in eight-ounce bags with a code date of 10-MAR-12 sold in stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California beginning Nov. 11.
World Cheese Corp
All 8 oz and 16 oz. bags of Haolam shredded cheese (Pizza, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Fancy, Muenster, R/F Muenster, R/F Cheddar), with an expiration of June 5,2012 through Sept 4, 2012
All 32 oz bags of Haolam shredded Mozzarella and Gourmet Blend with an expiration date of February 6, 2012 through May 7, 2012
All 5 lb bags of Haolam shredded Mozzarella, Cheddar and Muenster with a pack date of September 8, 2011 through Dec 7, 2011
Vegetable sprouts
Green Valley Food Corp. of Dallas, Texas is recalling approximately 35,159 cases of a variety of products potentially contaminated with Listeria.
Products purchased between 12/07/2011 and 1/1/2012 are affected in this recall and/or if the items have a use by date ranging from 12/22/2011 to 1/17/2012.
The items affected in the recall are as follows:
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Alfalfa Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722228818
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Spicy Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722229914
- Alfalfa Sprouts 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098001088
- “Green Valley Food Corp.” Onion Sprouts” 4oz. plastic security sealed clamshell UPC number 815098002054
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Sunflower Greens 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722206069
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Clover Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722225510
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Onion Sprouts 2 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722227712
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Zesty Sprouts 5 oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722221116
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Organic Wheat Grass 6oz. plastic 2 piece containers with the UPC number 714722608122
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. red polypropylene bag with the UPC number 714722208087
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 8oz. clear polypropylene bag with the UPC number 815098001071
- “Let’s Grow Healthy Together!” Mung Bean Sprouts 16 oz. clear polypropylene bag with a green label, the UPC number 714722208162
- “Green Valley Food Corp.” Spicy Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098002023
- “Green Valley Food Corp.” Snow Pea Shoots 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 714722106062
- “Green Valley Food Corp.” Organic Wheatgrass 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722608122
- “Green Valley Food Corp.” Daikon Sprouts 3 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 714722206076
- “Broccosprouts” Sandwich Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000289
- “Broccosprouts” Salad Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000265
- “Broccosprouts” Deli Blend 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with the UPC number 815098000272
- “Broccosprouts” Broccoli Sprouts 4 oz. plastic security sealed clamshell containers with UPC number 815098000258
- The sprouts affected in this recall were distributed via truck deliveries to all custom
If you have legal questions about an illness associated with one of these recalls contact the foodborne illness lawyers at PritzKerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.
