Indiana Dairy Recalls Blue Cheese Due to Listeria Risk

An Indiana dairy is recalling what it says is a small amount of blue cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Fair Oaks Dairy Products said its own testing, conducted by an independent laboratory, confirmed that some Fair Oaks Royal Blue Cheese was contaminated with Listeria. The company estimates that the quantity of blue cheese being recalled is less than 20 pounds. All remaining inventory has been quarantined and will be destroyed under Food and Drug Administration supervision, the dairy said in its news release.

No illnesses have been reported.

Fair Oaks said that a small quantity of the cheese was sold at its Fair Oaks Dairy store in Northwest Indiana, central Indiana and to several other stores on and after September 25 in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The product is in 1/3 to 1/2 lb. packages wrapped in royal blue foil.

Consumers who purchased the recalled cheese on the dates specified should return it to where it was purchased to receive a refund. Recall notices have been sent to retail outlets that received the cheese.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at Julie Basich, general manager, Fair Oaks Farms at 219- 394-2025, ext. 314, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT).

Listeriosis symptoms may include fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal distress. The incubation period for listeriosis is variable and ranges from 3 to 70 days, with the median incubation period being three weeks. This is particularly important if you are pregnant, are under the age of 10 years or older than 55 years or have a compromised immune system.

Read the original article: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/10/indiana-dairy-recalls-blue-cheese-due-to-listeria-risk/

FDA - Firm Press Release: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm276489.htm