Multi-State Cheese Recall Expands

The Food and Drug Administration has published six notices of product recalls for cheese possibly contaminated with Listeria in several states. The products were manufactured by Deutsch Kase Haus, and the first recall was published on Feb. 10.

Illinois, Indiana, Kanas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin are among states where the recalled products have been processed or sold. Full lists of specific products recalled can be found on the FDA website.

Brands in the recall notices included Meijer, Sargento, Guggisberg, Choice Farms, Country Fresh, Southwest, Marketside, HEB Ready Fresh Go, Amish Classics, Deli Readi and Deli Made.

Deutsch Kase Haus manufactures cheese products for various brands at its facility in Middlebury, Indiana. The company halted operations on Feb. 9 after learning that some of its products were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The naturally occurring bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea and pregnancy complications.

Company spokesman Mark Hubbard said the recall was initiated “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The safety and welfare of our customers and their consumers is of utmost importance to us,” Hubbard said. The plant’s 32 full-time employees are addressing the possible contamination, and 22 part-time employees are not currently working.

Hubbard said he believed that there will be additional product recalls posted on the FDA website.

“The rare time a recall is expanded, I see it as a great deal of extra attention given to public safety by ensuring all suspected product is removed from shelves,” Michael Ochs, a former director of a USDA plant in Chicago, said.

Ochs said safety is paramount in the food manufacturing industry. Controls include documentation and continuous onsite monitoring by federal inspectors.

“Everyone works to protect food safety, no one wants to be associated with a recall, and recalls aren't simply forgotten, the occurrence is dissected, analyzed, and changes made to prevent any future occurrence,” Ochs said.

Photo by Roxanne Ready via Flickr (https://creativecommons.org/li...)