Food Safety Humor

FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Pecorino Cheese Wrapped in Walnut Leaves Recalled for Listeria

Whole Foods and Forever Foods are recalling Pecorino Aged Cheese wrapped in Walnut Leaves after Forever Foods completed testing and found the sample positive for Listeria.

Taken from the picture, the retail price of the cheese is $30 / lb.




FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486410.htm
Whole Foods Market Recalls Pecorino Aged Cheese in Walnut Leaves in Two Stores Due to Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 16, 2016

Contact
Consumers  Whole Foods Market  512-477-5566 ext. 20060
Media Liz Burkhart  Liz.Burkhart@wholefoods.com
Announcement
View Product Photos

Whole Foods Market of Austin, Texas is recalling Pecorino Aged Cheese in Walnut Leaves sold in one Florida and one New York, NY store, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Consumers should seek immediate medical care if they develop these symptoms.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recalled cheese was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap with scale labels beginning with PLU code 294239 and "sell by" dates of 3/3/16 through 3/8/16 in the Bowery, NYC store. In West Palm Beach, FL the recalled cheese was sold with scale labels beginning with PLU code 290107 and "sell by" dates of 2/29/16 through 3/8/16. The recalled cheese was pulled from store shelves and destroyed on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016.

A sampling of the products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during a routine inspection conducted by the supplier.

Consumers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market should discard it and bring their receipt to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact their local store or call 512-477-5566 ext. 20060 between the hours of 9am and 5pm CST, Monday through Friday. For media inquiries, contact Liz.Burkhart@wholefoods.com
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Product Photos

  • Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves Mitica, scale label
  • Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves Mitica, scale label
FDA Recall Notice
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm486414.htm
Forever Cheese Recalls Imported Mitica Brand Pecorino Aged Cheese in Walnut Leaves For Possible Health Risk
For Immediate Release
February 16, 2016
Contact
Consumers Sarah Weisensel  Forever Cheese Inc.  1-888-930-8693
Announcement
View Product Photos

Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY, is recalling 40 cases of Mitica brand Pecorino Aged Cheese in Walnut Leaves (Pecorino Foglie di Noci) from one specific production code because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The imported Mitica brand Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves was shipped to distributors between January 27th and February 3, 2016. The imported cheese was further sold to retailers and restaurants located in Los Angeles, California, Cleveland, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, Colorado, Vermont, Virginia, Florida and Connecticut.

The cheese in question, Mitica brand Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves, is from one production code NOC15313 (found on shipping case only) and invoiced as Lot X2537 which the retailer or distributor would be familiar with. Each shipping case contains 2 wheels of varying weights; each wheel weighs a minimum of 2 lbs. The Mitica brand Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves cheese has a natural grayish rind, and will be labeled at the point of sale at the retail level or on a restaurant menu.

There have been no reported illnesses related to this potential contamination to date.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by Forever Cheese which revealed that the imported cheese tested positive for the bacteria. The company has ceased distribution of the affected lot as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Each and every distributor and retailer has been contacted in an effort to recall any and all remaining product in the marketplace. Consumers should not consume the imported Mitica brand Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves cheese listed above. Consumers that believe they have purchased the affected Mitica brand Pecorino Aged in Walnut Leaves cheese should contact the retailer or the company for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Sarah Weisensel at Forever Cheese at 1-888-930-8693, Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm EST.

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