The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating an outbreak of listeria that has hospitalized five people so far; those sickened were in California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas. Laboratory data and interviews (four people reported eating Brie or Camembert cheese) indicate the cheeses may be the source of the outbreak, according to the FDA statement. During an inspection of the company’s Michigan facility, health officials tested 120 samples, both of the products and the company’s facilities. Although none of the cheeses showed contamination, an outbreak strain of listeria was found in a sample from the facilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The strain from that sample has been linked to six cases of listeriosis dating from 2017 to 2022. Those cases had not previously been linked to Old Europe cheeses, but the company decided to do the voluntary recall to avoid any risk to their customers.
Listeria Can Hide in Many Foods
Listeria is a harmful germ that can “hide” in produce and dairy products such as soft cheeses and ice cream, per the CDC. It’s estimated that about 1,600 people are infected with listeria every year, and about 260 people die. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other people to get a listeria infection, which is a concern because the infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Cheese Sold at Many Retailers Including Whole Foods, Safeway, Albertsons, and Trader Joe’s
All Old Europe Cheese Brie and Camembert products with “best by” dates ranging from September 28, 2022, to December 14, 2022, are subject to the voluntary recall, according to the FDA statement. The products were distributed from August 01, 2022, through September 28, 2022, and were available at supermarkets, wholesale locations, and retail stores nationwide and in Mexico; retailers include Albertsons, Safeway, Meijer, Harding’s, Shaw’s, Price Chopper, Market Basket, Raley’s, Save Mart, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop, Fresh Thyme, Lidl, Sprouts, Athenian Foods, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. In addition to those markets, there may be other stores that have received the recalled product. Retailers may have repackaged bulk Old Europe Cheese items into smaller containers and sold this repackaged product to consumers under a variety of brand names, including La Bonne Vie, Reny Picot, Saint Randeaux, Red Apple Cheese, Metropolitan, and Joan of Arc. For a complete list of recalled products, visit the FDA website.
What to if You Experience Severe Symptoms of Listeria After Eating Recalled Cheese
Most people infected with listeria usually get mild food poisoning symptoms, like diarrhea and fever, and usually recover without treatment. When the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body, it can cause severe illness. People at higher risk for severe illness include pregnant women, newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of severe listeria infection usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with the bacteria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, and include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches. Almost all severe illnesses result in hospitalizations and sometimes death. Pregnant people usually experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth; it can also cause serious illness or death in newborns. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have any symptoms of severe listeriosis after eating recalled cheese.
What to Do if You Have Purchased One of the Cheeses Included in the Recall
Consumers who have purchased any of the stated Brie and Camembert products are urged not to consume them and to discard the product or products. Because listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces, the FDA recommends extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the cheeses in question in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Consumers with questions can call Old Europe Cheese at 269-925-5003, extension 335; the line is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.
