Listeria Risk Leads to Trois Comtois Cheese Recall

One lot of morbier cheese, sold by the wheel, has been recalled due to a potential risk of listeria contamination, which could pose serious health risks for consumers, especially among those with weakened immune systems.  

A Morbier cheese recall was announced by the FDA on July 29, after the cheese was found to contain the bacteria listeria monocytogenes through routine sample testing. However, no confirmed cases of Listeria food poisoning have been reported to date.

The recall consists of all Trois Comtois brand Morbier cheese with lot number 949038. The cheese was distributed in 11 pound sizes on the wheel to be cut and wrapped for sale. The wheels of cheese have a vegetable ash line in the middle for additional flavoring.

The recalled wheels of cheese were manufactured by Trois Comtois of Poligny, France where they were sold at various supermarkets and gourmet stores in Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia from June 1, to July 24, 2013.

Trois Comtois has ceased the production and distribution of the potentially contaminated cheese and is working with the FDA to contact retailers and distributors in an effort to remove any remaining product in the marketplace.

About 2,500 cases of Listeriosis are reported in the United States every year, according to federal health officials, with about 500 cases typically result in death each year. Those with weakened immune systems such as children and the elderly are prone to more adverse effects. Pregnant women are 20 times more likely and AIDS patients are 300 times more likely to be affected than healthy adults.

For healthy individuals symptoms of Listeriosis may include nausea, muscle ache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases, the infection could spread through the bloodstream to the nervous system.

Consumers should immediately stop consuming the recalled cheese and check to see if they are in possession of any and contact their distributor or retailer for a full refund. Consumers with further questions or concerns should contact Trois Comtios at 1-201-448-8787 and refer to the current recall.