Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese Recall and Peanot Butter Recall

Cambrooke Foods, LLC has issued a recall for their Imitation Cream Cheese and Low Protein Peanot Butter due to concerns that some of the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which is a bacteria that may cause severe and potentially fatal listeriosis food poisoning.

The recall applies Cheddar Wizard Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (8 oz. jars with SKU 10310), Herb & Garlic Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (8 oz. jars with SKU 10308), Plain Low Protein Imitation Cream Cheese (8 oz. jars with SKU 10306) and Low Protein Peanot Butter (16 oz. jar with SKU 10809).

Routine testing discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in certain batches of the Imitation Cream Cheese before they were dispatched to customers, and the company is recalling all batches, regardless of batch number. In addition, although no batches of the Low Protein Peanot Butter have tested positive for the bacteria, the product has been recalled as well since it is manufactured using the same machines.

Listeria monocytogenes food poisoning poses a particular risk of serious injury for elderly people, young children, pregnant women and those with a weak immune system. The organism attacks the gastrointestinal tract, and in servere cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and nervous system, potentially resulting in meningistis or other complications.

For otherwise healthy individuals, Listeriosis food poisoning may only produce short term symptoms such as nausea, high fever, stiffness, diarrhea, abdominal pain and severe headaches. For pregnant women, the infection may increase the risk of suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth.

The bacteria occurs most commonly in pates, soft cheeses, smoked fish and unpasteurized milk products. Listeriosis can be prevented by proper hygiene during food preparation. Raw meats and vegetables should be thoroughly cooked and food preparation surfaces should be properly sanitized.

Cambrooke Foods and the FDA are working together on the source of the contamination. Manufacture and distribution of the recalled products has been suspended voluntarily by the company pending completion of the investigation.

Any of these recalled products purchased since May 2008 should not be consumed, and Cambrooke Foods has established an online recall response form for consumers. The manufacturer asks that any uneaten portions of these foods be immediately discarded. However, if the products caused an injury or illness requiring medical treatment, food poisoning lawyers recommend that the remaining contents be stored for future testing in a manner designed to prevent consumption.