Potentially Fatal Cheese Urgently Recalled Across the Entire U.S.

Some of its cheese was found to have Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause severe infections in those who consume it. Some people are more susceptible to these infections than others, and it’s important to know who these people are and what can be done about the cheese.

The cheese tends to be distributed from wholesale sellers, retail storefronts and the company’s website. It can be bought in two sizes: an 8-ounce wedge or a 15-pound wheel. The cheese is easily spotted as it is wrapped in clear plastic with a white label on the side.

The Kentucky Department of Public Health carried out the routine testing. As part of the recall, customers have been urged to either return the cheese to where they bought it for a refund or throw it away. They have also been told not to consume any of it. 

Listeria is mainly found in improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products. It can survive when put in the refrigerator or when frozen, and it is recommended that those at serious risk of infection avoid these products altogether.

This includes environments like soil, water, decaying animals and vegetation — a lot of environments that probably come to mind if you stop to think about what goes on in the food production industry.

The listeria bacteria are typically transmitted when food is harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported or stored in an environment contaminated with the troublesome bacteria. Once the food is infected, the resistance of these bacteria to freezing means consumers are at risk of infection.

Colder temperatures typically help with food preservation and protection by killing bacteria. Far from being killed, Listeria monocytogenes can not only survive but potentially grow in refrigerated conditions or other food preservation environments.

In some cases, it can take up to 70 days for Listeria symptoms to appear, so it is recommended that anyone who has consumed the product continue to monitor themselves and seek medical advice if necessary. 

This is supposed to be the best way of preventing infection, but it isn’t guaranteed to work. For example, soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk have been known to be the source of Listeria outbreaks in the past. 

Most healthy individuals may only have short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Pregnant women, in particular, should stay away from the cheese, as the bacteria could cause them to have a miscarriage or stillbirth. 

Those infected can begin to see symptoms within a few hours, or it can take several days after consuming the contaminated food. The longer contaminated food is left and stored in the refrigerator, the greater the risk as the more opportunity the bacteria has to grow.

The company hopes that production will begin again soon but wants to ensure that no one becomes infected by any of its products.

These three levels of hazard classification are assigned a numerical designation of I, II and III. Risk increases as the numerical classification decreases.

A Class III recall describes a situation where the FDA initiates a recall of products it believes are unlikely to cause “adverse health consequences.”

Specifically, Class II describes “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Class I recalls are only given when a product is considered to have a high probability of causing “adverse health consequences or death.” 

Around 130 pounds of St. Jerome Cheese have been recalled so far, with many more expected to be recalled as the word continues to spread. 

However, as they also sell products online, it’s likely that anyone could have purchased the recalled cheese. This is why people across the U.S. are being asked to return this product or throw it away if they have purchased it.

In May, the FDA initiated a voluntary recall of the breakfast potato product “Broccoli Cheddar Breakfast Potato Bakes,” a product offered by the Veggies Made Great brand.

The FDA did not initially classify the voluntary recall of these potato products. Eventually, the FDA updated the recall notice of the some 10,544 boxes of the potato bake products to a Class II.

The potentially contaminated potato products were sent to distribution centers in Colorado, California and Arizona. From there, they were further distributed to stores in these same states, as well as stores in New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.

St. Mary’s, OH-based Classic Delight LLC saw a recall notice put in place for individually wrapped sandwiches it produced due to the potential presence of the disease-causing bacteria.

The UK’s FDA equivalent, the Food Standards Agency (FSA), initiated a recall of 101 ready-to-eat food products like sandwiches, salads and paninis due to possible listeria contamination. This potential outbreak was particularly concerning because the products were supplied to retail stores in healthcare settings.

It’s important to note that the St. Jerome cheese is the only known product from Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese that is believed to be contaminated with Listeria. All other products are considered safe, but you should still notify a medical professional if you consume any food items and become very unwell.