Cheeses sold in 9 states recalled for possible listeria contamination, FDA says
Eight different cheese products sold in nine states are being recalled for having "the potential to be contaminated" with the bacteria that causes listeria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said this week.
Paris Brothers, Inc. is recalling several of its cheddar, brie and pepper jack products that were produced in early May.
The now-recalled cheeses were sent for distribution in grocery stores, including Price Chopper and Super Saver, in nine states: Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
According to the FDA's Wednesday announcement, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria that causes listeria infections, was found during the agency's routine sampling. To date, no illnesses have been reported.
Listeria, or listeriosis, is an infection that results from eating contaminated food.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1,600 people get listeria each year, and about 260 die.
Healthy people rarely get ill from a listeria infection, the Mayo Clinic says, but the disease can be very serious (and sometimes fatal) for many pregnant people, newborns, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
For the Paris Brothers recall, the FDA has provided a list of the over 90 retail locations where the recalled cheeses were distributed.
Consumers who purchased the affected products can also return the cheese for a refund and learn more here.