Soft ripened cheeses recalled because equipment tested positive for Listeria

Savencia Cheese USA is recalling soft ripened cheeses manufactured in its Lena manufacturing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

“Through routine testing, it was identified that processing equipment at the site may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,” according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

The products being recalled are listed here. Consumers can identify these products by reviewing the UPC and the best buy date on the product labels. These products had regional distribution in the United States. 

The retailers that received the product have been informed of this possible contamination and are in the process of removing products from shelves. 

Consumers who have any of the recalled products listed in the table here should refrain from eating them and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

At this time, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse health events due to consumption of these products.

Finished product testing has not identified contaminated product, we have initiated a voluntary recall to retrieve the potentially affected product.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalledcheeseand developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)