A boutique food manufacturer in Maryland has been notified by Maryland Department of Health that their gourmet spreads were found to be contaminated with Listeria. This product, produced by Picnic Gourmet Foods, is sold through Whole Foods and other boutique food shops.
These types of product must be produced under tight controls to prevent Listeria contamination. According to the company website, "All of our spreads are all natural, hormone & preservative free"...too bad they were not Listeria free.
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm463535.htm
Picnic Gourmet Spreads Issues Recall for Potential Health Risks
Contact: Consumer: info@picnicspreads.com
Media: Brady Marz, Picnic Gourmet Spreads 301-983-1241 brady@picnicspreads.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Sept. 21, 2015 - Potomac, MD - Out of an abundance of caution, Picnic Gourmet Spreads is issuing a recall on their yogurt cheese spreads. These spreads could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Listeria bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria and typically occurs within three days to 10 weeks of consumption (usually within three weeks). Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, which can be preceded by nausea or diarrhea. Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Persons at higher risk for disease include pregnant women, newborns, elderly persons, and individuals with a weakened immune system (for example: persons with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease). Listeriosis in pregnant women may cause fever and other flu-like symptoms, which can be mild. However, because Listeria infection can cause premature labor, premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth or severe infection of newborns, it is especially important that pregnant women avoid these products.
The recall was a result of routine retail sampling by the DHMH Office of Food Protection, and subsequent analysis by the DHMH Laboratories Administration which revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product.
The potentially contaminated products include Red Pepper Feta Cheese Spread, Moroccan Cilantro Cheese Spread, Tandoori Garlic Cheese spread, Herbed Goat Cheese, Parmesan Cheese Spread, and Chipotle Sage Cheese Spread.
These products were distributed to retail stores in Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. , Minnesota and Illinois and have a "Best By" date of October 6th.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with any of these products.
Consumers who have purchased any of these products are urged to dispose of the product immediately. Consumers with questions may contact Picnic Gourmet Spreads at info@picnicspreads.com
Media Contact: Brady Marz, Picnic Gourmet Spreads, 301-983-1241, brady@picnicspreads.com
Maryland Dept of Health News Release
http://dhmh.maryland.gov/newsroom1/Pages/DHMH-testing-finds-Listeria-risk-in-Picnic-Gourmet-Spreads-products.aspx
DHMH testing finds Listeria risk in Picnic Gourmet Spreads products
State health department urges consumers to not eat manufacturer’s foods
Baltimore, MD (September 11, 2015) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is warning consumers not to eat products made by Picnic Gourmet Spreads because these products might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The potentially contaminated products include Red Pepper Feta Cheese Spread, Moroccan Cilantro Cheese Spread, Tandoori Garlic Cheese Spread, Herbed Goat Cheese, Parmesan Cheese Spread, and Chipotle Sage Cheese Spread. These products were distributed to retail stores in Maryland and other states including Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
The contamination was discovered after routine retail sampling by the DHMH Office of Food Protection, and subsequent analysis by the DHMH Laboratories Administration revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product.
The company has ceased production and distribution of these products, and DHMH continues its investigation into the source of the problem. There have been no complaints about these products to DHMH, and DHMH is not aware of any illnesses associated with the products to date. The department urges consumers who might have Picnic Gourmet Spreads products to dispose of them.
Listeria bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria and typically occurs within three days to 10 weeks of consumption (usually within three weeks). Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, which can be preceded by nausea or diarrhea. Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Persons at higher risk for disease include pregnant women, newborns, elderly persons, and individuals with a weakened immune system (for example: persons with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease). Listeriosis in pregnant women may cause fever and other flu-like symptoms, which can be mild. However, because Listeria infection can cause premature labor, premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth or severe infection of newborns, it is especially important that pregnant women avoid these products.
If a person has any of the above symptoms and has consumed products from Picnic Gourmet Spreads, they should consult their healthcare provider. More information on listeriosis can be found at http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Listeriosis.aspx.
Picnic Spread
About us
Picnic Gourmet Spreads are small batch, specialty, cheese spreads made in Potomac, MD by husband & wife team, Brady Marz & Heather O’Donovan. While Brady runs the business end, Heather created the recipes based on their joint love of cooking & entertaining. Picnic Gourmet Spreads use a combination of fine cheeses, fresh herbs, & exotic spices to create a delicious blend of unique flavors. All of our spreads are all natural, hormone & preservative free.
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