Cooperstown Cheese Company, of Milford, NY, is recalling 1,400 pounds of cheese because of positive tests for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Listeria was found through routine environmental testing by the firm and during a Food and Drug Administration inspection. The company has ceased production as they and FDA continue to investigate the problem.
The recalled cheese was sold or distributed from June 21, 2023, to July 10, 2023.
The product was distributed in New York State and reached customers through farmers markets, restaurants and retail stores.
Recalled product:
- In a retail store, the product may be repackaged and wrapped in cellophane or cheese paper or vacuum sealed.
- The products are labeled as Jersey Girl, Toma Celena and Abbie. At farmers markets, the product is wrapped in cheese paper or plastic.
- The products found at farmers markets are labeled as Jersey Girl, Toma Celena, SK, Jersey Gold, Marielle, Jersey Girl with garlic/rosemary, Jersey Girl spring onion, Bobby’s got the Blues, Toma Torino, Jersey Gold with garlic, and Abbie. Cut and wrapped, the product would last roughly 2 weeks, depending on storage.
- In restaurants, the products are labeled as Jersey Girl and Toma Celena. All are labeled with Cooperstown Cheese Company labels that contain the company’s contact information.
As of the posting of this recall, no illnesses have been reported.
Consumers who have purchased any of the products can return them to where they were purchased for a refund.
About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled cheese and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled product should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
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