Category: cheese

Two Dead In Australia’s Listeria Outbreak

Two people are dead and one person has miscarried in an Australia-wide outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes illnesses that have been linked to cheese manufactured by Lactalis Jindi Pty Ltd.

In all, Australian health authorities have confirmed 18 cases of Listeria monocytogenes in an outbreak that first was made public on December 18, 2012. According to the Victoria Department of Health, the 18 illnesses were confirmed in Victoria (8 cases), New South Wales (6 cases), Queensland (2 cases), Tasmania (1 case) and Western Australia (1 case). One of the fatalities occurred in Victoria (an 84-year-old man) and one in Tasmania (44-year-old man). In addition, a New South Wales woman who was infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes miscarried.

Earlier today, Lactalis Jindi Pty Ltd. expanded its December 19th recall to include all cheeses manufactured in its Jindivick production facility up to and including January 6, 2013. The recalled cheeses were sold nationwide under the following brand names: Aida Valley, Blue Cow, Coles Finest, Dynasty, Emporium, Enterprize, G&K, Harris Farm, International, Jindi, Jindi Reserve, Kenilworth, Kingaroy, Old Telegraph Road, Raw Materials, Siena, Tomewin Farm, Tomme Farm, Top Paddock, Wattle Valley, and Willow Grove. Please refer to the complete product list for details of package sizes and Best Before dates affected by this recall.

On January 16th, Victorian health officials visited the Jindi factory to assess the appropriateness of the company’s food processing, hygiene and monitoring practices. Jindi implemented a new ‘stricter’ regime of product testing and quality control beginning on January 7th, and health officials are satisfied that appropriate controls are now in place to ensure the safety of the company’s cheeses manufactured on or after that date.

Australia’s current population is approximately 22.9 million people, versus the US population of 313.9 million. On a proportional basis, the size of the Australian outbreak would translate in the USA into 246 confirmed illnesses and 27 deaths. Listeria monocytogenes has a long incubation period, and additional cases may yet be identified. To help protect yourself and your family members from becoming statistics in this outbreak, please read and follow the Advice to Consumers, below.

Advice to Consumers

  • Check your refrigerator for recalled cheeses, and return any to the place of purchase for refund. If you are unsure of the origin of a cut portion of cheese, dispose of it without tasting it.
  • Refer to the list of recalled cheeses periodically; more items may be added to the list as additional information becomes available.
  • If you think that you or a family member may have become ill from eating the affected cheese, consult a doctor immediately. Early symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infections include fever, headache, fatigue, aches and pains. This infection is particularly dangerous for the elderly, for pregnant women, and for anyone whose immune system is compromised.

3 Dead, 14 Hospitalized In Latest Listeria Outbreak

CDC is reporting that 14 persons have been infected with a single strain of Listeria monocytogenes after consuming Ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy. Three people are dead, and all 14 of the outbreak victims identified so far were hospitalized.

Listeriosis contributed to at least one of the deaths.

Outbreak victims were reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1). Four of the victims were related to pregnancy; two of those four were newborns. The three deaths occurred in Nebraska, Minnesota and New York; the Minnesota death was not attributed to the victim’s Listeria infection.

Except for the four pregnancy-related illnesses, outbreak patients range in age from 56 to 87 years, with a median age of 79 years. Illnesses were diagnosed as early as March 28, 2012 and as recently as August 30, 2012.

CDC Epi Curve for Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to imported Italian cheese

Twelve of the 14 persons interviewed reported having consumed a soft cheese. No one cheese was identified by the majority of ill persons, and six of the interviewees reported having eaten cheese that was cut and repackaged at a retail location. Epidemiological and traceback actions led investigators to Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese distributed in the USA by Forever Cheese, Inc. FDA has identified the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of the uncut cheese.

Yesterday, Forever Cheese recalled all Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese bearing Lot #T9425 and/or production code 441202. The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington between June 20 and August 9, 2012. The product was supplied to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors. Some of the cheese was sold in QFC stores in Oregon and Washington State.

The recalled cheese was “matured and packed by” Fattorie Chiarappa srl, Via Dell’Ulivo, 5 Conversano, Italy, and was manufactured from pasteurized sheep’s milk, whey and salt.

Based on the results of patient interviews, CDC and FDA are considering the possibility that cross-contamination of other cheeses may have occurred through cutting boards and utensils. This is exactly what happened in Canada’s province of Quebec in 2008, resulting in 22 cases of listeriosis, three of them in newborn infants.

CDC offers the following Advice to Consumers:

Contaminated ricotta salata cheese has made people sick.

  • CDC recommends that consumers not eat imported Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
  • Even if some of the cheese has been eaten without anyone becoming ill, the rest of the cheese should be disposed of immediately.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. (See disposal recommendations below)

How do I recognize the contaminated cheese?

  • The recalled cheese is labeled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese. It is a product of Italy. Consumers should consult with their retailer if they have questions about the origin of cheese.
  • Be aware that the recalled cheese has a 4 month shelf life, so contaminated cheese may still be in consumer’s refrigerators and may still be for sale in stores.
  • Ricotta salata cheese is often served crumbled or grated as an ingredient in some dishes.
  • Ricotta salata is a salty white cheese made from pasteurized sheep’s milk. Note: It is not the same as ricotta cheese, which is a very soft cheese often sold in plastic tubs.

Contaminated cheese may still be in consumers’ homes.

Listeria can grow in cut cheese at room and refrigerator temperatures. Listeria can also spread to other cheeses cut and served on the same cutting board or stored in the same area.

Follow these simple steps if recalled cheese is or was in your home:

  • Dispose of cheese in a closed plastic bag placed in a sealed trash can. This will prevent people and animals from eating it.
  • Wash the cheese drawer and other areas where the cheese was stored in the refrigerator with hot water and soap. Sanitize the area with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to one gallon of hot water.
  • Wash cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to cut, serve, or store cheese. If possible, use a dishwasher; otherwise, use hot water and soap, followed by sanitizing with a dilute bleach solution described above.
  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.

Who is most at risk?

  • Listeriosis primarily affects pregnant women and their newborn infants, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
  • Persons who think they might have become ill from eating contaminated cheese should consult their doctor immediately. People can sometimes develop listeriosis even up to two months after eating contaminated food.

US Shredded Cheese Recalls Multiply

On December 29, 2011, Miller’s Cheese Corp. (Brooklyn, NY) sent a recall notice to its customers. The notice began:

Dear Customer: 

For the first time in our 110-year history, a voluntary recall by the State of Wisconsin involves a packaging facility that handles only the shredding and packaging (not the actual cheese production) of some limited shredded Miller’s products. Although the test results for all of the Miller’s shredded cheese distributed in the market place tested negative for Listeria monocytogenes, the State of Wisconsin has requested a voluntary recall of all the products that were shredded in that plant from the time the listeria was found in another brand of cheese also packed in this plant.

That same day, World Cheese Company (New York, NY) also sent a recall notice to its customers. That notice began:

Dear Customer:

For the first time in our 75-year history, a voluntary recall by the State of Wisconsin involves a packaging facility that handles only the shredding and packaging (not the actual cheese production) of some limited shredded Haolam products. Although the test results for all of the Haolam’s shredded cheese distributed in the market place tested negative for Listeria monocytogenes, the State of Wisconsin has requested a voluntary recall of all the products that were shredded in that plant from the time the listeria was found in another brand of cheese also packed in this plant.

The initial recalls covered certain varieties of Miller’s and Haolam shredded cheeses; however, Alpine Slicing and Cheese Conversion Company (a Wisconsin company) soon chimed in with its own recall list, covering several brands of grated and shredded cheeses.

Following is a consolidated list of shredded and grated cheeses cheeses, all of which were recalled recently due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes:

Several retail supermarkets and grocery stores have alerted their customers to this recall, including:

  • Giant Food, LLC: Miller’s Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 7881236950), Miller’s Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 7881200910), Haloam Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 2663826200), Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 2663800264) and Haolam Shredded Pizza Cheese (UPC 2663826300)
  • Giant Eagle, Inc: Haloam Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 2663826200), Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 2663800264) and Haolam Shredded Mozzarella/Cheddar (UPC 2663826500)
  • Giant Food Stores: Miller’s Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 7881236950), Miller’s Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 7881200910), Haloam Cheddar Shredded Cheese (UPC 2663826200), Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Shredded Cheese (UPC 2663800264) and Haolam Regular Real Natural Pizza Shredded Mozzarella Muenster Cheese (UPC 2663826300)
  • Kroger, King Soopers, City Market & QFC: Miller Shredded Fancy Cheese (8 oz), Miller Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (8 oz.), Miller Shredded Muenster Cheese (8 oz), Miller Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (16 oz), and Miller Shredded Colored Cheddar Cheese (8 oz). Affected in Kroger stores located in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana, Central and Northwest Ohio and N. West Virginia panhandle, North Carolina, Virginia, Eastern WV, Eastern Kentucky, SE Ohio, Greater Memphis, TN, Arkansas, Mississippi and Western Kentucky; King Soopers, City Market and QFC stores.
  • Price Chopper: Miller’s Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 7881200910?), Miller’s Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 7881200910), Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 2663800264) and Haolam Shredded Pizza Cheese (2663826300).
  • Stop & Shop: Miller’s Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 7881236950), Miller’s Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 7881200910), Haloam Shredded Cheddar Cheese (UPC 2663826200), Haolam Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (UPC 2663800264) and Haolam Shredded Pizza Cheese (UPC 2663826300)
The recalled cheeses were distributed as follows in California (added January 11, 2012):
  • Grumpy Goat Shredded Cheese: Windmill Farms (San Diego) and Sunflower Markets (Modesto)
  • Edelweiss Fondue Cheese: Sprouts Market (Chula Vista) and Sunflower Markets (Modesto and Roseville)
  • Miller Shredded Cheeses: AMM (Mission Viego), Cambridge Farms (N. Hollywood), Catering by Felicia (Poway), Elat Market (Los Angeles), Encino Kosher (Encino), Farmers Ranch (Van Nuys), Glatt Mart (Los Angeles), Jordan Market (Laguna Hills), Kitov Market (Los Angeles), Kosher Club (Los Angeles),  Le Market (N. Hollywood), Livonia (Los Angeles), Mr. Kosher (Encino), Pars Kosher Market (San Jose), Pico Glatt Kosher (Los Angeles), Royal Palate Foods (Inglewood), Santa Clarita Valley Prod (Valencia), Super Ranch Market (Mission Viego), Super Sal Encino (Encino), Valley Produce (Reseda), and Ventura (Tarzana)
  • World Cheese Co (Haolam) Shredded Cheeses: Ariel Glatt Market (Los Angeles), Baron’s – Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), Cambridge Farms (N. Hollywood), Elat Market (Los Angeles), Encino Kosher (Encino), Fields Market (West Hills), Glatt Mart (Los Angeles), Jordan Market (Laguna Hills), Kitov Market (Los Angeles), Kosher Bazar (Reseda), Kosher Club (Los Angeles), La Brea Kosher (Los Angeles), Le Market (N. Hollywood), Livonia (Los Angeles), Meir Produce (Los Angeles), Mr. Kosher (Encino), Nutrition Wise (Los Angeles), Orange County Kosher (Tustin), Pars Kosher Market (San Jose), Pico Glatt Kosher (Los Angeles), Royal Palate Foods (Inglewood), Shalom & Sons (Los Angeles), Shalom Pizza (Los Angeles), Super Sal Encino (Encino), Valley Produce (Reseda), Ventura (Tarzana), Vine Ripe Farmers Market (La Mesa), Western Kosher (Los Angeles), and Wholesome Choice Irvine (Irvine)