Whole Foods recalls cheese over health risk

Whole Foods Market announced Wednesday that it is recalling ricotta salata sold in 21 states (including Oregon) and Washington, D.C. that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, NY.

Forever Cheese recalled this cheese product because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is 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 recalled Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese was cut into wedges, packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with a Whole Foods Market scale label using PLU 293427. All “sell by” dates through Oct. 2 are affected. Fourteen illnesses have been reported which may be associated with the Frescolina recall.

Whole Foods Market stores in the following states are affected by this recall:

1. Alabama (1 store)
2. Arizona (2 stores)
3. California (2 stores)
4. Colorado(2 stores)
5. Florida (5 stores)
6. Georgia (4 stores)
7. Kansas (1 store)
8. Kentucky (1 store)
9. Maryland (6 stores)
10. North Carolina (7 stores)
11. New Jersey (2 stores)
12. New Mexico (2 stores)
13. New York (2 stores)
14. Ohio (2 stores)
15. Oregon (6 stores)
16. Pennsylvania (5 stores)
17. South Carolina (1 store)
18. Tennessee (3 stores)
19. Utah (1 store)
20. Virginia (6 stores)
21. Washington (6 stores)
22. Washington, D.C. (3 stores)

Signage is posted in Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall. Customers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market may return it to the store for a full refund, and call with questions 512-542-0060 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.