Whole Foods Recalls Cheese Due to Listeria Fears

Photo Credit: FDA

Whole Foods Market is recalling cheese sold in all stores nationwide that came from its supplier because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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. Consumers should seek immediate medical care if they develop these symptoms.

The recalled cheese was cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap and sold with Whole Foods Market scale labels. Whole Foods Market decided to recall the cheese after routine sampling conducted by the FDA found Listeria Monocytogenes in a whole, uncut wheel of the cheese. The Papillion Organic Roquefort cheese product can be identified by the scale label that begins with PLU 029536. All sell by dates are affected.

No illnesses or infections have been reported to date. Signage is posted on retail store shelves to notify customers of this recall, and all affected product has been removed from shelves.

There are several Whole Foods stores in the region.

Consumers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market stores may bring their receipt to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact their local store.

Healthy people may suffer only short-term symptoms such as headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and high fever, a Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and sillbirths among pregnant women. Consumers should seek immediate medical care if they develop these symptoms.