Simmons Farm In Middletown Issues Voluntary Cheese Recall

MIDDLETOWN, RI — A local farm has recalled certain cheese products sold at area farmer's markets due to improper pasteurization. Simmons Farm announced Wednesday that Chevrie goat cheese and and cow's milk cheddar cheese could have been improperly pasteurized and should not be eaten.

The recalled cheese was sold at the farm itself as well as at the Hope Street Farmers Market in Providence and the Aquidneck Growers Market. Products dated on or after June 1 are all included in the recall.

Karla Simmons, one of the farm's co-owners, said the issue has been fixed and the voluntary recall was out of an abundance of caution.

"All cheese at the markets this weekend and going forward is legally pasteurized by RI Health Department standards," Simmons said. "Thank you for your trust and support, we really appreciate it and thank you for it!"

The milk used to make the cheese was properly heated 150 degrees for 30 minutes, as required by Rhode Island standards. However, a bubble of air between the lid of the container and the milk was not heated to 150 degrees, which is also required by the state's Department of Health, leading to the voluntary recall.

To be extra cautious, anyone with the recalled cheese should discard it.

Proper pasteurization prevents the spread of foodborne illness including tuberculosis, brucellosis, salmonellosis, scarlet fever, and listeriosis. The issue was discovered at the farm on July 2, during a routine inspection.