Whole Foods Cheese Recall Issued Over Listeria Risk

Whole Foods Market is recalling multiple cheese products, after being notified by its supplier that some may be contaminated with listeria monocytogens, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. 

The Whole Foods Market cheese recall was announced by the FDA on December 31, after the grocery stores supplier, Bleating Heart Cheese, issued a recall of certain cheese products due to possible listeria infection.

While there have not been any reports of listeria food poisoning associated with the recalled cheese products to date, exposure to the bacteria could pose a particular risk for young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system..

The recall includes Shepardista cheese with PLU# 254704, Goldette Tommette cheese with PLU# 250302, Fat Bottom girl cheese with PLU# 254705, Ewelicious cheese with PLU# 299784, Mixtress cheese with PLU# 299785, Moolicious cheese with PLU#299648. All recall products have “Sell by” dates up to and including January 20, 2015.

The cheese products were originally manufactured by Bleating Heart Cheeses and distributed to Whole Foods Markets where they were repackaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with the grocery stores scale labels. The cheese products were sold at Whole Foods Markets in Arizona, California, and Hawaii. Whole Food Markets officials claim signage has been posted in all potential stores where the cheese was sold to notify customers and all affected products have been removed from store shelves.

Listeria may cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in carriers and especially those with weakened immune systems such as young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Pregnant women who consume listeria tainted products may be at an increased risk for miscarriages or still-births.

Symptoms of listeria infection typically include nausea, muscle ache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. Some cases of listeria may become more life threatening when the infection moves through the bloodstream into the nervous system resulting in sometimes fatal infections.

The FDA and Whole Foods Markets recommend that customers with recalled cheese products bring their receipt to a local Whole Foods Market to receive a full refund. Consumers with further questions may contact their local store or contact Whole Foods Markets customer service at 512-477-5566 ext. 20060.