Whole Foods has recalled Maytag raw milk blue cheese, citing possible listeria contamination.
The company said no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall, which is nationwide.
Recent testing by the state of Iowa revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in two lots of products. Maytag Dairy Farms suspended production and distribution while the cause of the problem is determined, according to Whole Foods.
Whole Foods released information about the recalled cheese:
The recalled cheese was sold cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap with scale labels in various weights reading “Maytag Blue Raw Milk,” “Maytag Blue” or “Maytag Iowa Blue Cheese” and with PLU numbers beginning with 293308 and “sell-by” dates of 1/20/2016 through 3/21/16. The product was sold from cheese cases in various Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. Out of an abundance of caution, Whole Foods Market is recalling the products from all of its stores nationwide.
The FDA says listeria can cause people to get so sick they have to be hospitalized. For particularly vulnerable people, the illness can be fatal.
The people most at risk are pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems from HIV, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and transplants.
The FDA also says listeria bacteria can spread to other foods once it’s brought into the home. For example, listeria can grow and spread throughout foods in the refrigerator.
Customers who have purchased this product should discard it, and may bring their receipt into the Whole Foods store for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call 512-477-5566, extension 20060, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time.
In October, Whole Foods announced a nationwide recall of cut, wrapped and weighed Papillon organic Roquefort cheese, similarly citing possible listeria contamination.
