Michigan-Produced Cheese Recalled Amid Listeria Concerns

Farm Country Cheese House of Lakeview is recalling 1136.53 pounds of Raw Milk Cheddar, 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 Michigan Department of Agriculture said in a news release

Raw Milk Cheddar was distributed in the state of Michigan, primarily in the Detroit and Grand Rapids metro areas through retail stores and specialty shops.

The Raw Milk Cheddar in question is packaged under two different labels.

The first label will have Farm Country Cheese House logo on the far left hand side, and the product name (Raw Milk Cheddar) will be written on top of the label. This product is sold as an 8-ounce block. This product has “Use By Date” on the back of the cheese. The dates are between Oct. 28-Dec. 5 2015. This label will also have a Julian Date in the lower right hand corner. These Julian dates are as follows: 14301, 14302, 14308, 14309, 14324, 14325, 14332, 14336, and 14339.

The second label will have Farm Country Cheese House logo on the far left hand side, and the product name (Raw Milk Cheddar) written in white over a light blue banner this label will have the “Use By Date” on the back, it will not have a Julian Date. The “Use By Date” dates are between Oct. 28-Dec. 5 2015. This will be packaged in 8-ounce blocks and 5-pound loaves.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program by the FDA which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. Farm Country Cheese House has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased Farm Country Cheese House Raw Milk Cheddar are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (989) 352-7779, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., EST, or email info@farmcountrycheesehouse.